Mr. William Kenneth Gray
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
William Kenneth Gray graduated from the Murrell Dobbins
Vocational School in January 1943 as a commercial artist. He was
drafted in December 1943, selected as an Aviation Cadet and
completed basic training at Keesler Field. After Bombardier training
at Tuskegee, he completed the Flexible Gunnery School at Tyndall
Field, Florida in December 1944. Then came Advanced Bombardier
training at San Angelo, Texas where Mr. Gray finished as one of
only 6 “colored” cadets in Class 114 and was appointed a Flight
Officer. Mr. Gray was then assigned to primary pilot training in
Class 46-A at Tuskegee, flying out of Moton Field. The end of
World War II ended his aerial training and in February 1946 he
separated (initially) from the military.
Mr. Gray then used his artistic abilities, working for the Philadelphia
Tribune and the Pittsburgh Courier, until his Cadet/Flight Officer
experiences brought him back to the military in September 1947 as
a Sergeant performing duties in teletype, cryptography, and special
services.
In the spring of 1952, 2nd Lieutenant (later Captain) Gray was
commissioned in the Air Force Reserve, from which he retired after
28 years in June 1973.
Mr. Gray and his wife currently live in Cedar Park, outside of
Austin, Texas.
Vocational School in January 1943 as a commercial artist. He was
drafted in December 1943, selected as an Aviation Cadet and
completed basic training at Keesler Field. After Bombardier training
at Tuskegee, he completed the Flexible Gunnery School at Tyndall
Field, Florida in December 1944. Then came Advanced Bombardier
training at San Angelo, Texas where Mr. Gray finished as one of
only 6 “colored” cadets in Class 114 and was appointed a Flight
Officer. Mr. Gray was then assigned to primary pilot training in
Class 46-A at Tuskegee, flying out of Moton Field. The end of
World War II ended his aerial training and in February 1946 he
separated (initially) from the military.
Mr. Gray then used his artistic abilities, working for the Philadelphia
Tribune and the Pittsburgh Courier, until his Cadet/Flight Officer
experiences brought him back to the military in September 1947 as
a Sergeant performing duties in teletype, cryptography, and special
services.
In the spring of 1952, 2nd Lieutenant (later Captain) Gray was
commissioned in the Air Force Reserve, from which he retired after
28 years in June 1973.
Mr. Gray and his wife currently live in Cedar Park, outside of
Austin, Texas.