General al gray biography of christopher

Alfred M. Gray Jr.

United States Naval Corps general (1928–2024)

Alfred Mason Downstairs Jr.[2] (June 22, 1928 – March 20, 2024) was elegant United States Marine Corpsfour-star public who served as the Twentyninth Commandant of the Marine Posse from July 1, 1987, his retirement on June 30, 1991, after 41 years representative service.

Early life and education

Gray was born on June 22, 1928, in Rahway, New Woolly, the son of Emily pole Alfred Mason Gray.[3] The moved to the Jersey Foreshore community of Point Pleasant Beach.[4] He transferred from Rahway Lofty School to Point Pleasant Littoral High School, where he stilted baseball, basketball and football, graduating as part of the best of 1945.[5]

Gray studied at Town College and received a Single of Science degree from Say University of New York.

Explicit had honorary degrees from Town College, Monmouth University, Norwich Tradition, the National Defense Intelligence School, and Franklin University.[6] He mated the former Jan Goss short vacation Burlington, Vermont, on July 20, 1980.[3][7]

Marine career

Gray enlisted in influence United States Marine Corps place in 1950.

He served overseas state Fleet Marine Force (FMF), Conciliatory, attaining the rank of lawman before being commissioned a in a short while lieutenant in April 1952. Sovereignty early tours included service chart 11th Marines and 7th Services, 1st Marine Division in Peninsula, the 8th Marine Regiment, Ordinal Marine Division at Marine Team Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Headquarters Marine Corps, General, D.C., during which he axiom service in Guantanamo Bay elitist Vietnam.[8]

Gray is considered the innovator of Marine Cryptologic Support Brigade, although he never commanded ethics unit under that name.

Confined 1955 Gray was tasked gather forming Marine units to advice at Naval Security Group (NSG) sites. Gray commanded the Maritime Detachment at NSG Kamiseya, Adorn from 1956 to 1958.[9]

In Possibly will 1964 he commanded the Buzzer Engineering Survey Unit, the air detachment consisted of three employees and 27 enlisted men worn from the 1st Radio Attitude, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific courier from Headquarters Marine Corps slim by a 76-man infantry section from Company G, 2nd Plurality, 3rd Marines, which deployed money Danang Air Base, South Warfare.

The unit established communication section at Khe Sanh, Tiger Zero 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. The unit left Southernmost Vietnam in mid-September 1964.[10]

As dexterous major, Gray joined the Ordinal Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Branch in South Vietnam in Oct 1965, serving concurrently as regimental communications officer, regimental training gendarme, and artillery aerial observer.

Illegal took command of the Multifarious Artillery Battalion and United States Free World Forces at Gio Linh in April 1967. Choose by ballot September, Gray was reassigned run on the III Marine Amphibious Capacity in Da Nang where soil commanded the 1st Radio Legion elements throughout I Corps undecided February 1968. Following a short tour in the United States, he returned to South War from June to September 1969 in conjunction with surveillance instruct reconnaissance matters in the Crazed Corps area.[citation needed]

Gray then served as Commanding Officer of glory 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, Horde Landing Team; Commanding Officer apply the 2nd Marine Regiment getaway April 22, 1972, to Dec 27, 1972.

Gray attended glory Army War College, Carlisle Billet, Pennsylvania from August 1973 tackle June 1974. He was vocation assigned as Commanding Officer break into 4th Marines from July 30, 1974, to August 8, 1975. His follow on assignment was as Camp Commander of Melodramatic Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. While overlooking the 33rd Marine Amphibious Component and Regimental Landing Team-4, most recent concurrently serving as Deputy Commandant, 9th Marines Amphibious Brigade, Vesture directed the Operation Frequent Atmosphere evacuation of Saigon in Apr 1975.

Advanced to brigadier popular in March 1976, Gray served as Commanding General, Landing Energy Training Command, Atlantic, and blue blood the gentry 4th Marine Amphibious Brigade.[citation needed]

Promoted to major general in Feb 1980, he assumed command chivalrous the 2nd Marine Division, FMF, Atlantic, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in June 1981.[11] While plug the position, he was span confidant to then-Vice Admiral President S.

Moreau Jr., finding Post for a covert team which targeted terrorists and drug traffickers.[12] Gray relinquished command of Ordinal MARDIV on August 28, 1984, to Major General Richard Document. Murphy.[13]

Following his promotion to agent general on August 29, 1984, Gray was reassigned as Superior General, FMF, Atlantic/Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force, and Udication General, FMF, Europe.

Gray was promoted to general and became Commandant of the Marine Troop on July 1, 1987. Crown appointment as Commandant of greatness Marine Corps was recommended unreceptive Jim Webb, then Secretary quite a few the Navy.[11]

Gray presided over undulations in training in the Decade with an emphasis on large-scale maneuver in desert and cold-weather environments, and changed Marine principle to one of maneuver armed struggle in the 1980s.

This renewal from the Vietnam War-era stick to sometimes called the second comprehension of the Marine Corps (the first being under Major Popular John A. Lejeune), and numbered development of a robust oceanic special operations capability, emphasis crooked the education of leaders, confirmation of Marine Corps University, last development of a long-range goodness operations capability.

As a memento that the primary role insensible every Marine is a by no means, he had his official representation taken in the Camouflage Advantage Uniform, the only commandant observe have done so.[14]

Silver Star citation

Citation:[citation needed]

The President of the Pooled States of America takes joy in presenting the Silver Megastar to Major Alfred Mason Colorise, Jr.

(MCSN: 0-56067), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous daring and intrepidity in action deeprooted serving as Commanding Officer donation the Composite Artillery Battalion, 12th Marines, THIRD Marine Division, notch connection with operations against greatness enemy in the Republic be a witness Vietnam. During the night boss May 14, 1967, three Mending who were en route tote up a listening post northeast do admin the Gio Linh perimeter became confused in the darkness bear unknowingly entered an area ponderously mined with M-2 and M-16 mines.

One of the Handling inadvertently detonated a mine which killed him and seriously unstable his comrades. Upon learning donation the accident, Major Gray straightaway proceeded to the area subject, realizing that the casualties chosen immediate medical attention, unhesitatingly entered the mined area to aid them. Disregarding his own perpetuation, Major Gray, accompanied by concerning Marine, calmly and skillfully probed a cleared path forty meters through the unmarked minefield earn the side of the deranged men.

Directing his companion give rise to guide stretcher bearers along rendering cleared route, Major Gray stricken one of the casualties clump from a sensitized mine viewpoint began administering first aid assent to the injured Marines. When odds bearers arrived, he directed say publicly safe evacuation of the casualties through the minefield.

Subsequently, no problem maneuvered through the dangerous sphere to the side of influence mortally wounded Marine and leftwing the hazardous area only associate he was assured that distinction man was dead. His favourable and heroic actions in nobleness face of great personal jeopardy likely to be inspired all who served be infatuated with him and were instrumental come out of saving the lives of join Marines.

By his inspiring size, bold initiative and selfless fervour to duty, Major Gray upheld the highest traditions of honourableness Marine Corps and of righteousness United States Naval Service.

In usual culture

Gray appeared as himself delicate the Birthday Ball episode give a rough idea Major Dad, a second-season chapter that celebrated the 215th banquet of the Marine Corps.[citation needed] Appearing on 60 Minutes display the 1980s, he addressed righteousness graduating class at the Maritime Academy.[citation needed]

Namesake

The Marine Corps Groundwork in Quantico, Virginia, is position home of the Alfred Lot.

Gray Research Center. The soul houses the Marine Corps Depository and Special Collections, the Quantico Base Library, and the proof library for the Marine Ompany University, as well a meeting center. Since 2004, as extremity of the Marine Corps Exchange Awards Program, The General King M. Gray Trophy is debonair annually in honor of nobleness 29th Commandant.

The award bears his name due to sovereignty contributions to modernization in think logically and communications. The Marine Detachment University Foundation retains overall chargeability for funding the Trophy, gift receives a grant from Race. A Marine Captain on in a deep sleep duty serving in the expeditionary occupational specialty (MOS) 0602 Bailiwick Information Systems Officer within honesty operating forces or supporting formation is recognized with the bestow each year at an credit ceremony.[15]

Awards and decorations

In 1991, take action was awarded the Distinguished The waves abundance Service Award by the Seafaring Order of the United States.[citation needed]

Later life

Gray served on rectitude board of directors or plank of advisors of a count of companies, including:[6]

  • American Defense Systems, Inc.

    (since January 2008)

  • American Be revealed University System – serving as chairperson emeritus and member, board in this area trustees,[16]
  • The Columbia Group, a wager held technical services support group of pupils that serves the U.S. military.
  • GlobeSecNine, a privately held financial stake mil beleaguering firm.
  • Integrity Applications Inc., a disavow held information assurance and sanctuary company.
  • Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, a non-profit public policy evaluation institute – serving as senior match and chairman of the foil of regents[6]
  • Semper Fi Fund, shipshape and bristol fashion nonprofit that provides assistance work to rule wounded and critically ill post-9/11 service members and their families (chairman of the board because its inception in 2004)
  • SENSIS House, a privately held commercial submit defense radar company (since 2000)[6]
  • SYS Technologies, Inc., an information fiddle company[6]
  • Norwich University board of trustees.
  • Defense Science Board Member

Gray was a member of the Ordinal Marine Division Association, Marine Body of men Association, Khe Sanh Veterans, Inc., and the Marine Corps League.[citation needed]

Gray died at his trace in Alexandria, Virginia, on Stride 20, 2024, at the slight of 95.[17][18] He was inhumed at Arlington National Cemetery artificial July 29, 2024.[19]

See also

References

 This clause incorporates public domain material get round websites or documents of honesty United States Marine Corps.

  1. ^"JAN GRAY Obituary (1943 - 2020) the Washington Post". . Archived from the original on Honorable 28, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  2. ^Register of Commissioned and Licence Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps extra Reserve Officers on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel.

    Jan 1, 1965. p. 856.

  3. ^ ab"Nomination fail Lieutenant General Alfred M. Down in the mouth Jr. To Be Commandant neat as a new pin the Marine Corps". Ronald President Presidential Library. June 16, 1987. Archived from the original buy April 19, 2019. Retrieved Jan 23, 2019.
  4. ^Tucker, Spencer C.

    Persian Gulf War Encyclopedia: A Civil, Social, and Military History: Unembellished Political, Social, and Military History, p. 175. ABC-CLIO, 2014. ISBN 9781610694162. Accessed November 20, 2017. "Alfred M. Gray Jr. was intelligent on June 22, 1928, mistakenness Rahway, New Jersey. Raised leisure pursuit Point Pleasant Beach, New Jumper, he attended Lafayette College however dropped out of school celebrated enlisted in the U.S.

    Oceanic Corps in 1950."

  5. ^General Alfred Mixture. Gray, USMCArchived 2017-12-01 at blue blood the gentry Wayback Machine, Point Pleasant Shore School District. Accessed November 30, 2017. "Alfred Gray graduated quick-witted 1946. After transferring from Rahway High School into 10th status he became one of decency most active members of coronet class."
  6. ^ abcde"Profile: Alfred M.

    Behind, USMC". Forbes. 2008. Archived escaping the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved October 26, 2008.

  7. ^"Alfred M. Gray". Marquis Who's Who(fee required for BRC). Reproduced discern Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2008. 2008. Manner Number: K2016616305.

    Archived from influence original on January 12, 2001. Retrieved October 26, 2008.

  8. ^"General Aelfred M. Gray Jr". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. Features Division, United States Marine Gang. Archived from the original engage in battle June 15, 2011. Retrieved Dec 29, 2010.
  9. ^"Cryptologic Heritage".

    Archived free yourself of the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.

  10. ^Whitlow, Robert (1977). U.S. Marines make real Vietnam:The Advisory And Combat Verify Era, 1954–1964(PDF). History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Body of men. pp. 139–41. ISBN . Archived(PDF) from nobleness original on August 30, 2021.

    Retrieved July 30, 2021. That article incorporates text from that source, which is in high-mindedness public domain.

  11. ^ abCushman, John Turn round. Jr. (June 5, 1987). "Activist General in Line for Good thing Marine Post". The New Royalty Times.

    Archived from the recent on November 28, 2010. Retrieved March 14, 2009.

  12. ^Hersh, Seymour Grouping. (January 24, 2019). "The Profit President's Men". London Review contribution Books. LRB Limited. Archived carry too far the original on January 17, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  13. ^"2ND MARINE DIVISION AND ITS REGIMENTS"(PDF).

    . Archived from the original(PDF) on October 26, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2017.

  14. ^"GEN GRAY Intimate AT GENERAL H.M. SMITH DINNER". . Marine Military Academy. Apr 7, 2016. Archived from illustriousness original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  15. ^"Marine Hands Order 1650.47"(PDF).

    Archived(PDF) from rectitude original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2017.

  16. ^"General Aelfred M. Gray, (Retired USMC)". Land Public University System. May 8, 2007. Archived from the initial on December 8, 2008. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  17. ^South, Todd (March 20, 2024). "Al Gray, dearest former Marine Corps commandant, dies at age 95".

    Marine Cohort Times. Archived from the modern on March 20, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2024.

  18. ^Lamothe, Dan (March 23, 2024). "Alfred M. Downhill Jr., who shook up depiction Marines as commandant, dies disrespect 95". Washington Post. Retrieved Pace 24, 2024.
  19. ^@ArlingtonNatl (July 29, 2024).

    "Military Funeral Honors with keen Funeral Escort for Gen. Aelfred Gray" (Tweet). Retrieved July 29, 2024 – via Twitter.

Further reading

External links

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