General Alfred M.Gray, Jr. was born on June 22, 1928. He served as the 29th Commandant of the Corps and recognized member of the NSA Hall of Fame.
The outstanding reputation held by Marine Corps tactical signals intelligence (SIGINT) units today can be directly traced to the pioneering efforts and accomplishments of General Alfred M. Gray over four decades of distinguished service.
In his early career, General Gray built on the Marine Corps SIGINT experience of World War II and the Korean War to restructure USMC cryptologic operations and develop doctrines for SIGINT support to combat units. His early work and establishment of two units, one assigned to Europe and the other to the Pacific, formed the nucleus of what is known today as the Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion.
Throughout the 1960s, General Gray emphasized training for Marine Corps SIGINT personnel and the development of high foreign language proficiency. At USMC headquarters, General Gray oversaw the creation of concepts for direct support activities, and in 1962 commanded the first Marine Corps ground SIGINT unit to deploy to South Vietnam. He implemented and refined doctrine and practice for direct support to combat units in the war in Southeast Asia. In subsequent tours, he helped establish an all-source intelligence center that significantly enhanced intelligence and operational support to combat forces.
As he advanced to higher levels in the USMC, he continued to foster development of SIGINT capabilities strongly focused on direct support to the deployed forces. General Gray served as the 29th Commandant of the Corps. Marines in the Intelligence Community, appropriately recall General Gray as the “Cryptologic Warrior.”
“Papa Bear”–a 60 Minutes interview with General Alfred M. Gray
Source: NSA.gov
Happy 91st birthday General Gray!
Station HYPO 
22 June 2019 at 16:48
Gen Gray was a great leader and a wonderful mentor. Me and my staff had the honor of working directly with him for about 5 years when he served on the OSO/NRO Advisory Board. On top of everything else he is a real gentlemen. A wonderful experience!!!
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22 June 2019 at 19:42
I had the pleasure of meeting, briefly, General Gray at a function of the Navy League at the U.S. Grant Hotel in San Diego. He was CMC at the time. I’ve read what I could over the years about General Gray. At the end of his career I wrote him a congratulatory letter and told him he reminded me of General Holland M. Smith. Like General Smith, and like one of his loyal followers, Lieutenant General Victor H. Krulak, all three of these men were/are Marines Marines. I can think of no higher example than General Gray or Brute Krulak or H.M. Smith. Great Leaders of United States Marines and all the rest of us who have followed their careers. Semper Fidelis and Happy Birthday, General Gray!
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3 July 2019 at 05:27
I reported aboard navcommstajapan kami seya in December 1957 and was assigned to 2nd division later designated 212 division – the divoff was usmc captain a.m. gray – he left the division early in 1958. I was not surprised to read many years later that general gray had been selected to be the usmc commandant.
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16 February 2023 at 23:34
From a Canadian Veteran I thank you for your service General. Most civilians don’t have a clue about the importance of SIGINT. However, anyone who is a student of military history knows who the sharp end of the spear is.
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25 May 2023 at 18:06
From the time I reported to “R” Branch school at Imperial Beach California in 1959 until my retirement in 1980 at MCDEC, Quantico Virginia, I never heard anything but admiration for General Grey. I am proud to say that General Grey was the Marine Officer that I chose to retire me. The Marine Support Battalion was fortunate to have such an example of leadership.
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25 May 2023 at 18:11
Mster Sergeant,
Thank you for your comment and your service.
V/R,
Mario Vulcano
Station HYPO
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