Ace of War

The early years-my father was an Army Jag assigned to Childress Army Airfield, Texas. Shortly after I was born, he was transferred to Nuremburg, Germany, to arrest and try Nazi war criminals. Six months later, he was assigned to Selfridge AFB, Michigan. After he retired, I attended the Citadel. After graduation, I attended pilot training and C–130 qualification.

Assigned to Ching Chuan Kang AB in Taiwan, I flew a three–week rotation to Saigon–Bangkok flying combat sorties. Following several tours in the States, I assumed command of the 39 TAS at Pope AFB, North Carolina and flew a combat mission in Grenada.

I took command of the 1st SOW at Hurlburt Field, Florida and deployed the wing for combat operations in Panama for Just Cause and desert storm.

After promotion to brigadier general, I was deployed to Miami, Florida, as Air Force commander for JTF Andrew, the storm of the century that decimated South Florida.

I took command of the 438 Airlift WIWG at McGuire AFB, New Jersey and was deployed to Haiti as AF commander to uphold democracy. I retired on December 1994.

-- Brigadier General George A. Gray III