29th Commandant of the Marine Corps, retired Gen. Alfred Gray laid to rest at ANC

Marines from the Marine Corps Band, “The President’s Own,” and the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. (8th and I) conduct military funeral honors with funeral escort for 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps retired Gen. Alfred Gray, Jr. in Section 35 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, July 29, 2024.

Gen. Gray deployed eight times over his 41-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, several being clandestine. In one of his most notable deployments, Gray led Vietnam's first independent Marine ground operations. A pioneer in signals intelligence, he laid the groundwork for the Marine Cryptological Support Battalion.

As the 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gray championed academics and professional education, including implementing two required reading books each year for Marines of all ranks, chosen from his handpicked list. His leadership philosophy can be described by a quote from his commencement address to newly commissioned officers of the Naval Academy: “If you come and join my Marines, I want you to know that your ‘number one’ job is to take care of the men and women you are privileged to lead.” He also instructed all Marines to be “first and foremost, a rifleman.”

A decorated service member, Gray earned the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze, and a Distinguished Service Medal.

Gray was interred with his wife, Janie Ann Gray. As Gray and his wife had no surviving family, U.S. Marine Corps retired Lt. Gen. George Flynn received the U.S. flag from Gray’s funeral service.

U.S. Army video by Daryl Vaca

[lindafish]

My husband was killed while attached to the 2nd Marine Division, my husband was Navy and was assigned to the Marines. Al Gray came to my house, sat in my living room and grieved with me. He came by to see how I, and my 2 year old daughter, were doing. He was right behind me at my husband's funeral service. Al Gray was an honorable gentleman, a short, barrel chested Marine of the old school. Sorry to hear of his passing. He was a man of the people, he treated those he commanded with respect. He served honorably.

[JRC-eqzq]

In my 22 years in the Marine Corps I personally shook hands with a Commandant 4 times. The first was Al Gray, the second was Al Gray, 3rd? Al Gray. Guess who the 4th was. That's right, General Al Gray. The man had a habit of just popping in and checking on his Marines because he truly cared.
In 1988 my battalion had rotated to Okinawa and our Company Commander ordered that every Marine write his parents to tell them that we had arrived safely. One of our Marines was an orphan and a bit of a smartass. He looked on the back of his ID card where it said something like "If found please mail to Commandant of the Marine Corps, 8th & I Barracks, Washington DC...". The orphan Marine wrote a letter to that address and said in the letter that he considered Commandant Gray to be the father of all Marines and that he had arrived safely in Okinawa. A few days later General Gray arrived at our company CP demanding to see his "son"! Our command was more than a little surprised by the visit to say the least.

[lisettegarcia]

I met The Commandant while on mess duty rotation during Desert Storm. He asked if he could do anything for us troops, to make our war readiness better. In a gutsy moment, I asked if he would please call my father and tell him I was okay. That this would give him peace of mind and, in turn, help me stay focused.

When I got back from the war, my father said The Commandant had called and it was the proudest two minutes of his life. It's good when leaders show up for the good, not just the bad.

[PaulAanonsen-vyxj]

Gen. Gray was the Commandant when I served in the USMC in the late 1980s. In 2019 while crossing K Street in Washington DC, I recognized him, stopped at a red light, behind the wheel of his red Jeep Cherokee. Now in my mid 50s and dressed in my civilian suit, when I was mid way through the cross walk, I stopped in front of him, snapped to attention and saluted him. He returned my salute. I continued walking to my destination, with tears welling in my eyes remembering with fondness my time as an active duty Marine and proud to have served under him.

[pavilioninternational]

I remember providing security for General Gray during his visit to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. He got out of his limousine and, dressed in his camouflage utilities and boots, joined a battalion in the middle of their run. He was one of my favorite commandants.

[Rob-iszj]

Thank you to whoever posted this I had nothing ever to do with Marine Corps, but this man was a true patriot I can’t watch this without my eyes filling with tears. God bless you, General Gray.

[TheSouthernMale]

So sad, I used to be a Crew Chief with a Marine VIP squadron and flew with General Grey many times when he was CG of FMFLANT. He is the only one in the world that I would ever say this about. He was like a Grandfather, I would do anything for him, not only a great General, a great man, but a DAM^ GREAT MARINE!. I shed a tear today.

[Petroseni]

Rest in peace my brother! What made me cry was with what care and love the flag of our country was folded and presented. How dare anyone desecrate such a blessing object of freedom!

[michaelsekula]

I'm Navy and I respect and honor the Marines whom we supported. Most people do not understand that respect is not given it is earned and this man earned the respect of his men.

[GrayWolf-]

Rest in peace Marine. Your service and dedication to our country is so greatly appreciated. From a Vietnam era Army foot soldier.

[justanavgguy]

A fitting farewell tribute to a Commandant who served his Corps and country so admirably. Rest In Peace, General Gray.

[jamesdoyle]

He was a great man, and a Marine's, Marine. I met him 1976 at Camp Lejeune as a Pvt on phone watch. He strolled into my shop and just started talking to me. He deeply cared what was on the minds of his young Marines. As on this day, he snuck out of his office without any of his staff just to visit and get a true measurement of what we thought. He on many occasions said out loud he didn't want to hear from the upper ranks, as they were not as important as the the lower ranks.

[GarrulousVeteran]

From an old Marine Veteran who misses his days in the Corps God Bless and Rest in Peace.

[rafaelcalderon]

Great man that will always be in my heart. He promoted me meritoriously to Sgt (E5) on the stop while he was the CG at CLNC. Took the chevrons off his driver and pinned them on me himself; I served for 26 years and by far this was my best moment. God rest his soul.

[southpaw]

Thank you Gen. Alfred Gray. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication. As well as serving for the greatest country in the world. Semper Fi Devil Dog. He was my commandant.

[rvail]

I was a boot recruit in 1983. Memorial Day at Camp LeJeune ...myself and 3 others new Marines were drinking beer out of a Styrofoam cooler on the big green field, next to the main road into Camp Lejeune, where there were displays of all the aircraft and vehicles of the 2nd MAF were being displayed. It was a family day and there were hundreds of families having picnics. We were in civies and were obviously boots by our harcuts, and in civies. A rumpled looking older Marine in cammies walked up to us (no rank insignia were observable on his collar. We thought he was a senior staff nco)...this guy asked if he could join us as we were lounging on the grass. We, being boots said sure, gave him one of the cheap beers we were drinking, thought nothing of it...we talked freely of our experiences in the Corps so far (admin school at Camp Johnson) and what we thought about the Corps so far...(think 4 teenage Maines being open with a guy we thought was a Gunny or MSgt)....when a very natty Capt walked up and said "General, they're waiting on you at..."...that was my introduction to Gen Gray. TBH, he looked pissed at his Aide D'Camp for having ruined the moment....40 years later this is one of my treasured memories of my time in the Corps...having a beer with a General.
Edited for Grammer and spelling

Super edit: my father was a retired General officer in the USAF. He was forcibly retired the year I was born by the Kennedy administration's RIF of 10, 000 flying officers from transitions to jet engine aircraft prior to Vietnam.

At my boot camp graduation, my senior drill instructor noticed me saluting my father and hurried over to see what was up. "General, may I present GySgt Chehowski, my senior drill instructor? " he after being dismissed ran/marched the the deputy base commander's vehicle before it could drive away...for the rest of out stay on Parris Island, we had a major at my father's beck and call...despite the fact that my father had retired before the deputy base commander had been commisioned...the military's tradions are odd...

[brianharper]

I have never served, but so appreciate those (and families) that have. God bless you all, and thank you.

[charlesgardner]

General Gray was an amazing man. It was a pleasure and privilege to have known him.

[etowahman]

He didn't pass away. He simply went to high ground, where now he's reorganizing and refitting the Marines on watch there for the second coming.

[edsibley]

The only CMC to have his official picture taken in a combat uniform... RIP General and thanks for the memories...