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Maj.-Gen. Carl R. Gray
Carl Raymond Gray, Jr. (April 14, 1889 - December 2, 1955) was a decorated U.S. Army Veteran, having served during World War I and II, and had also achieved a long and distinguished career in Ameri...view moreCarl Raymond Gray, Jr. (April 14, 1889 - December 2, 1955) was a decorated U.S. Army Veteran, having served during World War I and II, and had also achieved a long and distinguished career in American railroading: he was Commander of the Allied Railways in the European and African theater during WWII, Vice President of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway from 1946-1948, and Veterans Administration Chief from 1947-1953.
Born in Wichita, Kansas in 1889, Gray, Jr. was the son of Harriette Amanda “Hattie” Flora and Col. Carl Raymond Gray (1867-1939), who himself was President of the Great Northern Railway (U.S.) from 1912-1914, President of the Western Maryland Railway from 1914-1919, and President of the Union Pacific Railroad from 1920-1937. Gray, Jr. attended Western Military Academy, in Alton, Illinois and graduated from the University of Illinois. In 1911 he moved to Portland, Oregon, where he married Gladys Evans Beach and their daughter Gladys was born 1912. Their son, Carl, III was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1914.
During WWI, Gray, Jr. served as Captain, Major and Lieutenant-Colonel in the U.S. Army. When he was activated into the Military Railways Service in 1942, he was a Reserve Colonel of the U.S. Corps of Engineers. Appointed a Brigadier-General and Manager of Military Railways Service, he commanded that Service in the Mediterranean Theater of War and eventually became director General of the Military Railway Service, European Theater, with the rank of Major-General. For six years after the close of WWII, he served as Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs.
Gray, Jr. held military decorations from five countries, including the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal (U.S.).
He died in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1955 at the age of 65.view less
Books by Maj.-Gen. Carl R. Gray
Railroading in Eighteen Countries: The Story of American Railroad Men Serving in the Military Railway Service, 1862 to 1953