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<p><em>Douglas Henry Gray</em>, the son of Robert and Huldina Gray, was born on July 7, 1954 in Mason City, IA. The Gray family had a strong tradition of military service, with multiple generations of veterans. In addition to Doug’s father, grandfather, and great-grandfather serving in the Army and Navy, all of Doug’s siblings served their country. Two brothers and a sister were in the Army, and another brother in the Navy. Doug attended Ventura Community High School, where he played football and baseball, sang in the school chorus and was a member of the National Honor Society. After his graduation, Doug’s family heritage led him to enlist in the Army. He was stationed as an infantryman at Fort Ord, CA, where he applied and gained admission to the USMA Preparatory School at Fort Belvoir, VA. After a year at Prep School, Doug entered West Point on July 8, 1974, with the “Proud and Great” Class of 1978.</p>
<p>Memories of Doug at West Point include his zest for life, mischievousness, and loyalty to his friends and classmates. There are many stories of Doug supporting classmates in a variety of ways. He is remembered for using the leadership and maturity he gained at the Prep School as a supportive, calming influence on classmates struggling with Beast Barracks. During his firstie year, a partner on an important academic project fell ill, struggling to complete his project tasks. Doug worked extra hard to make up for his classmate’s challenges, so that they successfully completed the project on time. On the mischievous side, Doug caught a cold, with laryngitis, the week before the Glee Club Winter Concert his firstie year. After attending sick call all week, with no progress, Doug spent Friday evening carrying around and sipping from a coffee cup. It turned out Doug had gotten hold of some brandy somewhere, and by Saturday morning his voice was back. The old home remedy had him in fine voice for the show that night.</p>
<p>Doug participated in many intramural sports and developed an affinity for lacrosse. He was known for always having more than one stick available for games. This was in case he found someone with whom he could have a catch, but who might not have their own stick. That was a great indicator of Doug’s attitude for life. He didn’t let small inconveniences get in the way of things that he wanted to do. He was always game for playing some form of catch in the barracks or going out with friends.</p>
<p>After graduation, Doug was commissioned in the Infantry and completed Ranger School, Airborne School, and the Infantry Officer Basic Course. His first assignment was at Fort Polk, LA, serving with the 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry as a platoon leader and then executive officer for Bravo Company. Due to his leadership accomplishments, Doug later assumed command of the battalion’s combat support company. In his spare time, Doug played for the Fort Polk Rugby Team and competed against local teams. </p>
<p>Doug’s biggest love was music, and he had great fun singing for USMA’s Glee Club. Doug also used that prowess to his advantage in social situations. While serving as the best man at a classmate’s wedding in 1979, the bridesmaids found out that Doug could sing. At that point he began to gather a lot of their attention. One of those bridesmaids turned out to be his future wife, Robin. Doug had come to Long Island from Fort Polk for the wedding, with plans to spend time afterwards with some friends in New York. But once he met Robin, Doug dropped those plans and spent all his time with her. After a whirlwind weekend, Doug returned to Fort Polk, but returned to Long Island two years later for their marriage in 1981. </p>
<p>After Fort Polk, Doug returned to Fort Benning, GA for the Infantry Officer Advanced Course and then went overseas to Germany as a public affairs officer. Following Germany, Doug went to Fort Bragg, NC for a PSYOPS assignment. During his time at Fort Bragg, Doug’s interest in history led him to join the historic Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry, for which he participated in parades and color guard events. In 1988, Robin and Doug celebrated the birth of their son, Tristan. </p>
<p>Doug resigned from the service as a captain in 1989. He initially stayed in the Fort Bragg area as a businessman, investing in a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise. Between astutely picking a spectacular location, and probably some fortuitous circumstances, his store achieved record sales for a new franchise in the first month of business. Doug eventually gave up the franchise, left the Fort Bragg area, and pursued other business interests, including being an HVAC project manager. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, Doug was a lifetime smoker, and he eventually succumbed to heart disease at his home in Orlando, FL on November 23, 2021.</p>
<p>While Doug was a good friend, and classmate, he always maintained an internal resolve and independence. He chose his own path. May he Rest in Peace, with the hope that his chosen path did, in fact, lead him where he wanted to go.</p>
<p><em>— John Walden, family, and classmates</em></p>
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