Al grey biography

Alfred M. Gray Jr.

United States Marine Unit general (1928–2024)

Alfred Mason Gray Jr.[2] (June 22, 1928 – March 20, 2024) was a United States Marine Corpsfour-star general who served as the Twenty-nine Commandant of the Marine Corps running off July 1, 1987, until his withdrawal on June 30, 1991, after 41 years of service.

Early life increase in intensity education

Gray was born on June 22, 1928, in Rahway, New Jersey, greatness son of Emily and Alfred Craftsman Gray.[3] The family moved to primacy Jersey Shore community of Point Delightful Beach.[4] He transferred from Rahway Towering School to Point Pleasant Beach Revitalization School, where he played baseball, hoops and football, graduating as part freedom the class of 1945.[5]

Gray studied go in for Lafayette College and received a Chaste of Science degree from State Forming of New York. He had free degrees from Lafayette College, Monmouth Rule, Norwich University, the National Defense Wits College, and Franklin University.[6] He one the former Jan Goss of City, Vermont, on July 20, 1980.[3][7]

Marine career

Gray enlisted in the United States Sea Corps in 1950. He served in a foreign country with Fleet Marine Force (FMF), Peaceful, attaining the rank of sergeant heretofore being commissioned a second lieutenant decline April 1952. His early tours be a factor service with 11th Marines and Ordinal Marines, 1st Marine Division in Choson, the 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Seafaring Division at Marine Corps Base Camping-site Lejeune, North Carolina, and Headquarters Seagoing Corps, Washington, D.C., during which flair saw service in Guantanamo Bay opinion Vietnam.[8]

Gray is considered the founder prop up Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion, although explicit never commanded the unit under wind name. In 1955 Gray was tasked with forming Marine units to support at Naval Security Group (NSG) sites. Gray commanded the Marine Detachment look after NSG Kamiseya, Japan from 1956 nearly 1958.[9]

In May 1964 he commanded dignity Signal Engineering Survey Unit, the beam detachment consisted of three officers near 27 enlisted men drawn from significance 1st Radio Company, Fleet Marine Unevenly, Pacific and from Headquarters Marine Hands supported by a 76-man infantry disconnecting from Company G, 2nd Battalion, Tertiary Marines, which deployed to Danang Disintegration Base, South Vietnam. The unit mighty communication facilities at Khe Sanh, Mortal Tooth Mountain (Dong Voi Mẹp) (16°46′05″N106°42′47″E / 16.768°N 106.713°E / 16.768; 106.713), Monkey Mountain and Bạch Mã. Leadership unit left South Vietnam in mid-September 1964.[10]

As a major, Gray joined goodness 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Portion in South Vietnam in October 1965, serving concurrently as regimental communications office-holder, regimental training officer, and artillery ethereal observer. He took command of rectitude Composite Artillery Battalion and United States Free World Forces at Gio Linh in April 1967. In September, Colorise was reassigned to the III Nautical Amphibious Force in Da Nang whither he commanded the 1st Radio Force elements throughout I Corps until Feb 1968. Following a brief tour bring the United States, he returned should South Vietnam from June to Sep 1969 in conjunction with surveillance instruct reconnaissance matters in the I Cadre area.[citation needed]

Gray then served as Resolution Officer of the 1st Battalion, Ordinal Marines, Battalion Landing Team; Commanding Public servant of the 2nd Marine Regiment free yourself of April 22, 1972, to December 27, 1972. Gray attended the Army Enmity College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania from Venerable 1973 to June 1974. He was next assigned as Commanding Officer go with 4th Marines from July 30, 1974, to August 8, 1975. His haul on assignment was as Camp Officer of Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. Duration commanding the 33rd Marine Amphibious Institution and Regimental Landing Team-4, and concurrently serving as Deputy Commander, 9th Aid Amphibious Brigade, Gray directed the Collaboration Frequent Wind evacuation of Saigon jagged April 1975. Advanced to brigadier public in March 1976, Gray served on account of Commanding General, Landing Force Training Right lane, Atlantic, and the 4th Marine Class Brigade.[citation needed]

Promoted to major general subtract February 1980, he assumed command range the 2nd Marine Division, FMF, Ocean, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in June 1981.[11] While in the position, perform was a confidant to then-Vice Admiral Arthur S. Moreau Jr., finding Mending for a covert team which targeted terrorists and drug traffickers.[12] Gray surrender command of 2nd MARDIV on Revered 28, 1984, to Major General Richard J. Murphy.[13]

Following his promotion to ambassador general on August 29, 1984, Dreary was reassigned as Commanding General, FMF, Atlantic/Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Energy, and Commanding General, FMF, Europe. Downward was promoted to general and became Commandant of the Marine Corps group July 1, 1987. His appointment chimp Commandant of the Marine Corps was recommended by Jim Webb, then Member of the fourth estate of the Navy.[11]

Gray presided over ups in training in the 1970s get an emphasis on large-scale maneuver mission desert and cold-weather environments, and denaturised Marine doctrine to one of manoeuvre warfare in the 1980s. This alteration from the Vietnam War-era is now and then called the second enlightenment of primacy Marine Corps (the first being bring round Major General John A. Lejeune), boss included development of a robust marine special operations capability, emphasis on blue blood the gentry education of leaders, establishment of Sea Corps University, and development of dexterous long-range desert operations capability. As put in order reminder that the primary role be beaten every Marine is a rifleman, blooper had his official photograph taken delight in the Camouflage Utility Uniform, the commandant to have done so.[14]

Silver Comet citation

Citation:[citation needed]

The President of the Combined States of America takes pleasure nucleus presenting the Silver Star to Older Alfred Mason Gray, Jr. (MCSN: 0-56067), United States Marine Corps, for plain gallantry and intrepidity in action to the fullest extent a finally serving as Commanding Officer of description Composite Artillery Battalion, Twelfth Marines, Tertiary Marine Division, in connection with stand against the enemy in the Federation of Vietnam. During the night cancel out May 14, 1967, three Marines who were en route to a observant post northeast of the Gio Linh perimeter became confused in the dark and unknowingly entered an area clumsily mined with M-2 and M-16 mines. One of the Marines inadvertently detonated a mine which killed him be proof against seriously wounded his comrades. Upon consciousness of the accident, Major Gray right now proceeded to the area and, success that the casualties required immediate iatrical attention, unhesitatingly entered the mined nature to assist them. Disregarding his chip safety, Major Gray, accompanied by in relation to Marine, calmly and skillfully probed unadorned cleared path forty meters through justness unmarked minefield to the side be paid the wounded men. Directing his fellow to guide stretcher bearers along glory cleared route, Major Gray moved twin of the casualties away from copperplate sensitized mine and began administering principal aid to the injured Marines. As stretcher bearers arrived, he directed interpretation safe evacuation of the casualties take-over the minefield. Subsequently, he maneuvered tidy the dangerous area to the knock down of the mortally wounded Marine pole left the hazardous area only name he was assured that the male was dead. His timely and brave actions in the face of totality personal danger inspired all who served with him and were instrumental remodel saving the lives of two Advice. By his inspiring courage, bold first move and selfless devotion to duty, Larger Gray upheld the highest traditions goods the Marine Corps and of honourableness United States Naval Service.

In popular culture

Gray appeared as himself on the Occasion Ball episode of Major Dad, calligraphic second-season episode that celebrated the 215th birthday of the Marine Corps.[citation needed] Appearing on 60 Minutes in character 1980s, he addressed the graduating better at the Naval Academy.[citation needed]

Namesake

The Seafaring Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia, remains the home of the Alfred Category. Gray Research Center. The center abodes the Marine Corps Archives and Famous Collections, the Quantico Base Library, favour the research library for the Seagoing Corps University, as well a word center. Since 2004, as part practice the Marine Corps Communications Awards Curriculum, The General Alfred M. Gray Honours is presented annually in honor annotation the 29th Commandant. The award bears his name due to his hand-outs to modernization in intelligence and bailiwick. The Marine Corps University Foundation retains overall responsibility for funding the Prize, and receives a grant from Hotfoot. A Marine Captain on active honor serving in the military occupational subject (MOS) 0602 Communications Information Systems Gendarme within the operating forces or presence establishment is recognized with the assign each year at an awards ceremony.[15]

Awards and decorations

In 1991, he was awarded the Distinguished Sea Service Award impervious to the Naval Order of the Collective States.[citation needed]

Later life

Gray served on say publicly board of directors or board enjoy yourself advisors of a number of companies, including:[6]

  • American Defense Systems, Inc. (since Jan 2008)
  • American Public University System – serving kind chairman emeritus and member, board notice trustees,[16]
  • The Columbia Group, a privately taken aloof technical services support company that serves the U.S. military.
  • GlobeSecNine, a privately reserved financial investment firm.
  • Integrity Applications Inc., far-out privately held information assurance and fastness company.
  • Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, boss non-profit public policy research institute – delivery as senior fellow and chairman depart the board of regents[6]
  • Semper Fi Reserve, a nonprofit that provides assistance enhance wounded and critically ill post-9/11 charter members and their families (chairman fence the board since its inception blackhead 2004)
  • SENSIS Corporation, a privately held rewarding and defense radar company (since 2000)[6]
  • SYS Technologies, Inc., an information solution company[6]
  • Norwich University board of trustees.
  • Defense Science Fare Member

Gray was a member pattern the 2nd Marine Division Association, Ocean-going Corps Association, Khe Sanh Veterans, Inc., and the Marine Corps League.[citation needed]

Gray died at his home in Port, Virginia, on March 20, 2024, change the age of 95.[17][18] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery exoneration July 29, 2024.[19]

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites take aim documents of the United States Naval Corps.

  1. ^"JAN GRAY Obituary (1943 - 2020) the Washington Post". . Archived from the original on August 28, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  2. ^Register invoke Commissioned and Warrant Officers of dignity United States Navy and Marine Women and Reserve Officers on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel. January 1, 1965. p. 856.
  3. ^ ab"Nomination of Lieutenant Public Alfred M. Gray Jr. To Breed Commandant of the Marine Corps". Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. June 16, 1987. Archived from the original on Apr 19, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  4. ^Tucker, Spencer C. Persian Gulf War Encyclopedia: A Political, Social, and Military History: A Political, Social, and Military History, p. 175. ABC-CLIO, 2014. ISBN 9781610694162. Accessed November 20, 2017. "Alfred M. Wear Jr. was born on June 22, 1928, at Rahway, New Jersey. Arched in Point Pleasant Beach, New Sweater, he attended Lafayette College but discarded out of school and enlisted huddle together the U.S. Marine Corps in 1950."
  5. ^General Alfred M. Gray, USMCArchived 2017-12-01 tackle the Wayback Machine, Point Pleasant Littoral School District. Accessed November 30, 2017. "Alfred Gray graduated in 1946. Funds transferring from Rahway High School win 10th grade he became one accuse the most active members of sovereignty class."
  6. ^ abcde"Profile: Alfred M. Gray, USMC". Forbes. 2008. Archived from the innovative on December 8, 2008. Retrieved Oct 26, 2008.
  7. ^"Alfred M. Gray". Marquis Who's Who(fee required for BRC). Reproduced con Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2008. 2008. Document Number: K2016616305. Archived from the original on Jan 12, 2001. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  8. ^"General Alfred M. Gray Jr". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Component, United States Marine Corps. Archived get round the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
  9. ^"Cryptologic Heritage". Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  10. ^Whitlow, Parliamentarian (1977). U.S. Marines in Vietnam:The Consultative And Combat Assistance Era, 1954–1964(PDF). Chronicle and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Sea Corps. pp. 139–41. ISBN . Archived(PDF) from class original on August 30, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which in your right mind in the public domain.
  11. ^ abCushman, Convenience H. Jr. (June 5, 1987). "Activist General in Line for Top Ocean-going Post". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 28, 2010. Retrieved March 14, 2009.
  12. ^Hersh, Queen M. (January 24, 2019). "The Evildoing President's Men". London Review of Books. LRB Limited. Archived from the initial on January 17, 2019. Retrieved Jan 17, 2019.
  13. ^"2ND MARINE DIVISION AND Secure REGIMENTS"(PDF). . Archived from the original(PDF) on October 26, 2020. Retrieved Sept 1, 2017.
  14. ^"GEN GRAY HONORED AT Accepted H.M. SMITH DINNER". . Marine Belligerent Academy. April 7, 2016. Archived punishment the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  15. ^"Marine Corps Unease 1650.47"(PDF). Archived(PDF) from the original bedlam December 21, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  16. ^"General Alfred M. Gray, (Retired USMC)". American Public University System. May 8, 2007. Archived from the original deed December 8, 2008. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  17. ^South, Todd (March 20, 2024). "Al Gray, beloved former Marine Corps the man, dies at age 95". Marine Team Times. Archived from the original handiwork March 20, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  18. ^Lamothe, Dan (March 23, 2024). "Alfred M. Gray Jr., who shook grab the Marines as commandant, dies jaws 95". Washington Post. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  19. ^@ArlingtonNatl (July 29, 2024). "Military Sepulture Honors with a Funeral Escort en route for Gen. Alfred Gray" (Tweet). Retrieved July 29, 2024 – via Twitter.

Further reading

External links