Navy Officer Makes History

CORONADO - The U.S. Navy recently commissioned its first female officer of Tongan descent.

According to reporting partner 10 News, family and friends gathered as Mary McCray transitioned from Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class to Ensign. McCray was born in Long Beach after her parents immigrated to Los Angeles from Tonga in the 1980's.

The mother of three says her parents instilled in her a sense of hard work and perseverance, and she hopes to be an example to other Tongan women, proving having a family and a successful career is possible.