KILLEEN, Texas — U.S. Army Garrison–Fort Cavazos leaders Col. Lakicia Stokes and Command Sgt. Maj. Loyd Rhoades joined Killeen Mayor Debbie Nash-King to mark Bob Gray Day April 17 at the Greater Killeen Regional Airport. A handful of Gray’s relatives, along with representatives from local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapters, were on hand to mark the occasion.
Robert “Bob” Manning Gray was born in Killeen in 1919. He commissioned into the U.S. Army Air Corps as a second lieutenant in 1940. Gray was one of the 16 pilots selected for Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle’s raid over Tokyo on April 18, 1942. Six months later, Gray was killed in action on Oct. 18, 1942, when his B-25 bomber crashed near Burma during combat operations.
At the ceremony, Stokes spoke about Gray’s tenacity.
“Captain Gray’s journey is one of ambition, perseverance and remarkable achievement,” she said, noting his education at Tarleton State and Texas A&M Universities, his service in the Army Air Corps and participation in Doolittle’s Raid.
“On April 18, 1942, during Doolittle’s Raid, his selfless courage exemplified his unwavering commitment to duty,” she said. “Facing overwhelming odds, he and his fellow aviators undertook a mission that would change the course of history, exemplifying the highest ideas of military service.”
Gray was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, a medal given to service members for heroism in aerial flight, for his actions over Tokyo.
Gray is the namesake of Robert Gray Army Airfield, the military side of the airfield operations, located across the shared tarmac from the regional airport. He is also memorialized with Gray Street in downtown Killeen and through a large bronze statue of his likeness inside the Greater Killeen Regional Airport.
Each year, Killeen marks April 18 as Bob Gray Day in his honor, an observance first instituted by former Killeen Mayor R.T. Polk in 1943, according to the city’s website, killeentexas.gov.
This year’s commemoration was held a day early because of the Good Friday holiday on April 18.
During a brief ceremony held in the airport terminal near displays honoring Gray, his legacy of service and selfless sacrifice was noted.
“Today we honor a true hero, an American hero, Captain Robert Bob Manning Gray, a son of Killeen whose courage, character and sacrifice continue to inspire generations,” Nash-King said.
She described Gray as an aviator “who embodied the spirit of service from a young age, though his life was cut short during World War II.”
“Captain Gray’s spirit lives on … not only in the history books, but in the hearts of this community,” Nash-King said. “May we always strive to live up to the example
Captain Gray left for us, the legacy of serving others.”
Stokes also reflected on Gray’s legacy of service.
“His contributions to the community and our nation’s military history serve as a testament to the impact of leadership, bravery and commitment to a greater purpose,” Stokes said.
The Fort Cavazos garrison commander also noted Gray’s family members in attendance, noting their presence was a reminder his legacy lives on through the people he touched.
Gray’s family members attending the ceremony joined the Killeen mayor to read this year’s Bob Gray Day proclamation.
Regina Elson, Gray’s second cousin, expressed the family’s appreciation for the community’s continued efforts to honor Gray.
“Although I never knew him, he passed away before we were all born…, we all live through the memory and the storytelling that was told to us, and we want to say thank you to the city of Killeen for continuing to honor Bob,” Elson said. “We figured out it was 82 years they have been doing this, and that’s a testament to the city and their patriotism.”
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