Class 44-G-SE 8/4/1944 2nd Lt. 0835409 Roxbury, MA
May 30, 1924 – September 23, 2016
Unit: 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group
Awards: Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster, a Presidential Unit Citation, the Mediterranean Theatre of Operation ribbon with three battle stars, the American Theatre and World War II Victory button, bronze replica of the Congressional Gold Medal
“The Tuskegee Airmen are a classic example of overcoming adversity, and people in our country should know about it.”
~Tuskegee Airman Leo Gray
The CAF Red Tail Squadron has many special relationships with original Tuskegee Airmen, and we absolutely treasure them. These American heroes are unique, continuing to inspire us as much today as when they fought fascism abroad and racism back home in the era of WWII. We are honored to stand beside these great role models at many of our outreach events around the country. Leo Gray, an original Tuskegee Airmen and pilot, continued to share his experience with our audiences, inspiring the next generation to RISE ABOVE.
As a youth in the Boy Scouts of America, Gray met all qualifications for a Life Scout, and achieved the rank of Junior Assistant Scoutmaster in his Troop. After graduation from Boston English High School in 1942, Gray enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp as a private. After completing the College Training Detachment Program at Tuskegee Institute, he entered aviation cadet training to become a pilot. He graduated from the Tuskegee Army Air Filed Flying School as a 2nd Lieutenant Single Engine Pilot in Class 44-G (SE). After completing combat fighter pilot training at Walterboro Army Air Field, Gray was stationed in Italy as a fighter pilot with the 100th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group. He flew 15 combat missions over Europe in P-51 Mustangs. He had a total of 750 hours flying time. He was separated from active duty in 1946 and remained in the USAF Reserve until he retired in 1984. During his 41 years of military service, Lt. Col. Gray was awarded the Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster, a Presidential Unit Citation, and the Mediterranean Theatre of Operation ribbon with three battle stars. In addition, he earned the American Theatre and World War II Victory button.
After the war, Gray earned a Bachelor of Science at the University of Massachusetts and a Masters degree at the University of Nebraska, both in agricultural economics. For 30 years, Gray coordinated research for the USDA. He credits his military service as the catalyst that helped his civilian career by giving him the skill and perseverance to be successful.
Gray played a leading role in the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. organization, serving as president of the Miami and East Coast chapters. He helped to form a new chapter in Walterboro, South Carolina, the location of advanced combat training for Tuskegee-trained pilots before being shipped overseas to combat from 1943 to 1945.
He was also a dedicated member of the Boys & Girls Club of America – of which he was a member himself in his youth – and was a co-founder of the organization’s Ionosphere Club in Broward County, Florida. This unique group gives members the opportunity to learn about all aspects of flying, including science and mechanics.
“There are many young people, especially in urban areas, who have not been exposed to aviation,” remarks Gray. “They need to understand what’s available for them. Aviation is a field with many openings. Pilots and support personnel are in demand because of many retirements. People need to understand the impact that aviation has on different areas of the country.”
Gray was gracious enough to help make our outreach visits even more impactful and inspiring by appearing at several of our events. For example, in 2015, Gray joined us in Florida to speak directly to school groups about the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, and how students can utilize the Squadron’s Six Guiding Principles in their own lives – Aim High, Believe In Yourself, Use Your Brain, Be Ready To Go, Never Quit, Expect to Win.
“The CAF Red Tail Squadron is one of the few organizations that has a hands-on approach to opening peoples’ eyes to aviation and the history of the Tuskegee Airmen,” he said. “The RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit gives young people the opportunity to find out things that might never have been exposed to.”
Thanks to the ongoing hard work and perseverance of Tuskegee Airmen, younger generations are learning not only about an important piece of American history, but about what grit, determination and strength of character really means. Thank you, Leo Gray, for continuing to serve your communities and your country. We salute you!
Colonel Gray was the proud father of seven children and four stepchildren, the grandfather of ten children, great grandfather of 20 children, and great great-grandfather of four children. He lived in Florida with his second wife, Dianne.
Colonel Gray’s first wife, Jewell Elizabeth Grigsby-Martin, was the mother of Lynette, the oldest; Kathy, the 2nd oldest, and Roger, his first son.
Education and Training Accomplishments:
- 1942 Graduated from Boston English High School, an all-boys school, and the first public high school in the United States
- May, 1943 Enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a private, May, 1943
- Graduated from Tuskegee Army Air Field Flying School as a 2nd Lieutenant, Single Engine Pilot
- Served in Italy as a fighter pilot with the 100th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group, later to be known as the Tuskegee Airmen; flew 15 missions before the war ended
- Accumulated 750 hours flying time, total
- Remained in USAF Reserve until 1984, completing 41 years military service
- 1950 Earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts
- 1952 Earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska, where he was inducted into the Gamma Sigma Delta National Agricultural Honor Society
- 1962 – 1964 Did post-graduate work at the University of Maryland
- Participated in ongoing professional development as appropriate during lengthy civilian and military careers
- Completed the following progression of courses as a member of the United States Power Squadron, a nationwide recreational boating organization: America’s Boating Course (ABC), Seamanship, Piloting, Advanced Piloting, Engine Maintenance, Weather, Sail
- Trained for Search and Rescue, as a member of the Fort Lauderdale Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol
Professional or Employment History:
- 1953: Agricultural Economics Technical Assistant with the Agricultural Extension Service, University of Massachusetts
- 1954: Agricultural Economist with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Research Economist with the Economic Research Service
- Secretary, Western Agricultural Economics Research Council
- Recording Secretary, Western Agricultural Experiment Station Directors Association
- Secretary-Treasurer, Western Farm Economics Association
- Staff Economist for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Newcastle Disease Eradication Program in California
- Economic Consultant to the U.S. Agency for International Development in West Africa (Senegal, Mali and Mauritania)
- Director, Office of Program Planning, Food Safety and Quality Service.
- Also founded and served as the first president of the Forum on Blacks in Agriculture.
- 1984: Retired from the USDA with 30 plus years of service and numerous publications and awards to his credit
- 1994 – 2014 Head Usher, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Advocacy on Behalf of Veterans:
- Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) – “Never Stop Serving” –
- Lifetime member and Broward County Chapter Board member ; whose purpose is to serve the entire military community by leading the nation to honor its commitments to all who serve. MOAA seeks to protect and enhance earned benefits such as military and retirement pay, healthcare coverage, disabled and survivor benefits, spouse and family support.
- Reserve Officers Association Broward County Chapter (ROA), President (at time of death) – ROA was instrumental in adoption of the Reserve Forces Bill of Rights and Vitalization Act. Throughout its history, ROA has advocated for and achieved a long list of improvements and benefits for members of our nation’s Ready Reserve.
- The American Legion – Charter member of Broward County Chapter Post 365 – American Legion played a leading role in drafting and passing of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, otherwise known as, the “GI Bill.” Col. Gray visited the sick at VA hospitals in Florida and around the United States. The Legion is active in issue-oriented United States politics, primarily lobbying on behalf of veterans and service members benefits such as pensions and the Veterans Health Administration
- Air Force Association – Vice President of Broward County Chapter 351 (at time of death)
- Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. – Lifetime member of national organization; Founded The Miami Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (MITAI) in 1991 and served as President for 12 years
- Spearheaded activities commemorating 50th Anniversary of WWII, resulting in Broward County being recognized by the Department of Defense
- Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Member of the P-51 Mustang Pilots Association
- Member of Quiet Birdmen
Civic Activities and Contributions:
- Civil Air Patrol (CAP) – Active member from 1997 to 2006 – served as Public Affairs Officer of the Fort Lauderdale Composite Squadron. Maintained membership even while inactive and enthusiastically recommended and referred youth and their parents to join.
- Active in Fort Lauderdale Power Squadron – participated in local boat shows to educate the public about boating safety; participated in annual waterway clean-ups; attended meetings regularly and took part in other Squadron activities both on land and on the water.
- Lifetime member and Board member of the Nan Knox Boys and Girls Club – Envisioned and co founded the Ionosphere Club of Flight at that club in downtown Fort Lauderdale, FL. Frequently attended to motivate, inspire and mentor the young people there.
- Supported the United Negro College Fund of South Florida
- Gave educational and motivational talks throughout the year, for many, many years to countless public and private school students from elementary to college level in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties, Florida, as well as by invitation around the country
- Gave educational and motivational talks to adults at many churches, civic groups, governmental groups, hobby groups, thus inspiring many adults to pick up and carry on his work.
Awards or Honors:
- 1943 Presidential Unit Citation
- Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster
- Mediterranean Theatre of Operation ribbon with three battle stars
- American Theatre and World War II Victory ribbons
- 1998 Honored by USDA-NRCS in Florida
- 2006 Who’s Who 100 Top Industry Experts
- 2006 Honorary Doctor of Public Service from Tuskegee University
- 2007 Congressional Gold Medal from President George Bush to Tuskegee Airmen
- 2007 Named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
City and County Recognition:
- 2007 Leo R. Gray and Tuskegee Airmen Day, City of Anchorage, AK
- Leo R. Gray Day, City of Dania Beach
- Leo R. Gray Day, City of Fort Lauderdale
- 2012 Lt Col Leo R. Gray Appreciation Day, Broward County Commission
- 2015 Key to Miami-Dade County
Sources: interview with the CAF Red Tail Squadron
Florida Veterans Hall of Fame. Inc.
Michael L. Hunter, Jewell’s oldest son of her 2nd marriage.
Lt Col Gray by the P-51C Mustang “Tuskegee Airmen”
2012 Homestead ARB – Brad Lang, Lt. Col. Leo Gray and Doug Rozendaal at the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit
2016 at Deerfield Beach, FL. Lt Col Leo Gray with students – Photo courtesy of Dr. Regina Del Pino
The mission of the CAF RISE ABOVE: Red Tail is to share the inspiring legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen – America’s first black military pilots and their support personnel. Their success in triumphing over adversity during WWII can still inspire people of all ages to RISE ABOVE obstacles they may face.
Learn more at www.cafriseabove.org
