The twenty ninth commandant of the Marine Corps, retired Gen. Al Grey, 95, handed away Wednesday, the service confirmed.
Grey served as commandant from 1987 to 1991. He first joined the Marine Corps as a personal, occurring to realize the rank of sergeant earlier than commissioning as an officer in 1952, based on his official biography. He served within the Corps for 41 years earlier than retiring in 1991.
“At present I mourn with all Marines, previous and current, the lack of our twenty ninth commandant, Gen. Grey,” Gen. Eric Smith, the present commandant of the service, mentioned Wednesday in a press launch. “He was a ‘Marine’s Marine’ — an enormous who walked amongst us throughout his profession and after, remaining one of many Corps’ dearest buddies and advocates even into his twilight.”
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Grey was lauded by Marines, present and former, for his no-nonsense, salt-of-the earth method to main the service, together with as a former enlisted man and because the nation entered the Gulf Conflict throughout his tenure as commandant.
“One of many issues that actually sticks in my craw is that this zero-defect mentality,” he as soon as mentioned, addressing Marines throughout a “60 Minutes” profile on him. “I’ve had it as much as right here with organizations and people who find themselves afraid to let their individuals do issues.”
Based on the discharge, all Marine Corps installations will fly flags at half-mast till sundown in mid-April to honor Grey’s service and legacy.
The Corps mentioned that Grey presided over vital structural adjustments within the service, together with by creating Fleet Marine Pressure Guide 1, also referred to as “Warfighting.” Underneath 100 pages, the Corps mentioned that it serves to at the present time as the muse for a way Marines put together for and execute operations.
“His contributions are many, together with the event of our maneuver warfare doctrine, ‘Warfighting,’ which stays, to at the present time, the philosophic bedrock of how we struggle as Marines,” Smith mentioned within the launch. “Though he can be missed by all, his legacy will endure and his spirit will proceed to dwell amongst us.”
Grey was additionally recognized for emphasizing large-scale operations in hot- and cold-weather environments, a profit to the Corps because it continues to function in locations from the Center East to the Arctic. He advocated for army schooling, the Corps mentioned, and ordered the institution in 1989 of Marine Corps College, the place generations of Marines have taught and discovered.
Complimenting his “Marine’s Marine” nature, Grey was the primary commandant to have his official portrait taken within the camouflage uniform. He was promoted to the rank of basic in 1987. After he retired, he spent his time in northern Virginia together with his spouse, Jan, till her loss of life in 2020.
Marine Corps Instances first reported that Grey died Wednesday morning.
Grey earned the Silver Star in Vietnam for speeding right into a minefield to avoid wasting an injured Marine, guiding medical consideration to the Marine and administering first help, based on his quotation.
“Above all, I do not prefer it when my Marines, or the sailors that serve with us, when they’re handled with lower than the dignity they deserve,” Grey mentioned in an interview with “60 Minutes,” which used his nickname, “Papa Bear” in its profile. “These form of issues will get my consideration in a short time.”
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