Alfred M. Gray, Jr.
| Alfred M. Gray Jr. | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Nickname(s) | "Big Al The Tanker's Pal" |
| Born |
June 22, 1928 Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1950–1991 |
| Rank |
 General
|
| Commands held |
1st Radio Battalion 1st Battalion 2nd Marines 2nd Marine Regiment 4th Marine Regiment 33d Marine Amphibious Unit 2nd Marine Division II Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Forces Atlantic Commandant of the Marine Corps |
| Battles/wars |
Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit Bronze Star Purple Heart |
Alfred M. Gray Jr. (born June 22, 1928) is a retired United States Marine Corps general who served as the 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1987–91. He retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1991 after 41 years of service.
Gray was born on June 22, 1928 in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, where he was raised. He is the son of Emily and Alfred Mason Gray.
He studied at Lafayette College, and received a Bachelor of Science degree from State University of New York. He has honorary degrees from Lafayette College, Monmouth University, Norwich University, the National Defense Intelligence College, and Franklin University.
He married the former Jan Goss of Burlington, Vermont on July 20, 1980.
Gray enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1950. He served overseas with Fleet Marine Force (FMF), Pacific, attaining the rank of sergeant before being commissioned a second lieutenant in April 1952. By definition, serving in the enlisted ranks prior to becoming an officer makes Gray a "mustang," which generally commands more respect in the Corps because of the combination of officer smarts and enlisted practicality. His early tours included service with 11th Marines and 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in Korea, the 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., during which he saw service in Guantanamo Bay and Vietnam.
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