ROBERT H GRAY 1930

Robert Howard Gray

Robert Howard Gray “Bob” born December 1, 1930 in Viola, Marshall Co., West Virginia to Brady Leland Gray and Evelyn May “Howard” Gray.

 Bob completed 8 years of schooling at the Viola Elementary School in Viola, West Virginia. During the school years he worked on the family farm. At the age of 18 Bob worked in Construction until he enlisted in the Army.

Bob enlisted Feb. 1951 “To see more of the world. “  He completed Boot Camp at Fort Jackson, South Carolina after which he was assigned to Love Company, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division in Korea. While in Boot Camp Bob disliked, “the sand and chiggers.”

Specialties were the Rifle; Bob was an excellent Marksman from an early age, often times providing meat for the table.

His military service was served at Fort Jackson and Korea from Feb. 1951 to Oct. 20, 1951 with the 35th Infantry Regiment.

For his service in the Army Bob received the following awards and medals; Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Korea Service Medal.

In his first letter to his mother after arriving in Korea he said he enjoyed the Army. He also wrote in the letter to his mother, “but be glad this isn’t happening in the US.”

On Oct 20, 1951 PFC Robert Howard Gray was KIA in Korea. His body was sent home and buried in the Sandhill Cemetery, Marshall Co., West Virginia.