Jesse Benjamin Gray

Jesse Benjamin Gray. Image Source: Tecoan, 1942. UA50-01. University Archives, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.

Jesse Benjamin Gray was born in Stokes, N.C., on September 15, 1921, the son of Henry Abram and Lucy Elizabeth Gray. After graduating from Stokes High School, Gray enrolled at ECTC where he proved to be an outstanding student. A major in science and math, Gray was also a member of the Math Club his freshman and sophomore years, the YMCA his junior and senior years, the Boxing Team his freshman and sophomore years, the Men’s Student Government Association his junior year, and then vice president of the MSGA his senior year, and a member of the academic leadership fraternity, Phi Sigma Pi, his junior and senior years.

Like John C. Johnston, Gray was also a participant in the Civilian Pilot Training Course coordinated by the college. After graduating in 1942, Gray joined the Army Air Corps and soon rose to the rank of lieutenant. While in service in the Pacific, Gray excelled as a fighter pilot, completing over 100 combat missions while serving with Maj. Gen. C. L. Chennault’s (1893-1958) Fourteenth Air Force, the Flying Tigers.

In early March 1945, Gray received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal Awards after destroying two Japanese planes in aerial combat in China. Two weeks later, on March 15, 1945, Gray was killed in battle against the Japanese Imperial Air Force fighters in China.

Gray was one of seven ECTC alumni in 1945 to die in service, making that year the second most mournful of WWII. In 1943, 10 alumni had died while serving their country.

Gray was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Greenville.

Sources:

• Evans, Clifton. Untitled article on Civilian Pilot Training Course at ECTC. Teco Echo. March 28, 1941. P. 1. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/37888
• Evans, Clifton. Untitled article on Civilian Pilot Training Course at ECTC. Teco Echo. April 25, 1941. P. 1. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/37890
• Goggin, Jean. “With The Armed Forces.” Teco Echo. March 15, 1945. P. 2. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/37951
• Goggin, Jean. “With The Armed Forces.” Teco Echo. April 23, 1945. P. 2. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/37953
• “Juniors: Jesse B. Gray, Stokes.” Tecoan. 1941. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/15346
• “Jesse B. Gray.” Tecoan. 1942. P. 41. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/15347
• “Men’s Student Government Association.” Tecoan. 1942. P. 112. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/15347
• “Phi Sigma Pi.” Tecoan. 1942. P. 128. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/15347
• “Men’s Student Government Association.” Tecoan. 1941. P. 115. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/15346

Related Materials

Jesse Benjamin Gray. Image Source: Durham Herald, March 14, 1945. Pg. 5.

Jesse Benjamin Gray. Image Source: News and Observer, March 18, 1945. Pg. 3X.

Jesse Benjamin Gray Killed in Action Announcement. Image Source: News and Observer, March 31, 1945. Pg. 7.

Jesse Benjamin Gray’s Draft Registration Card. Image Source: U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947.Ancestry.com

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