Jessy Franklin Gray

Jessy Franklin Gray, born in Wilson County on December 5, 1895, was an educator, soldier, politician, and businessman. After passing the state teacher's exam at 17, he taught in Oakville and became school superintendent. When the United States entered World War I, he resigned and attended army officers training camp at Leon Springs Military Reservation in San Antonio. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on August 15, 1917, and married Pauline Campbell that same day. Assigned to Company D, 360th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division, he trained as a Gas Defense Officer. In France, he served in the American Expeditionary Force under General John J. Pershing, fighting at the Saint-Mihiel salient. Gassed and wounded in the chest and legs, he was among the 7,000 U.S. casualties there, but he returned for the Meuse-Argonne offensive. On the night of November 2, 1918, after all officers were killed and Company A was pinned down without leadership, he voluntarily took command and rallied the men. For this, he received a Citation Star, later the Silver Star in 1932, and a promotion to 1st Lieutenant. He was also awarded the Purple Heart, was honorably discharged on June 6, 1919, and in 1950 received a commemorative medal from the Saint-Mihiel town council. Gray later served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1945 to 1953, advocated for the Gilmer Aikin Education Reform Act, and served on the Water Resources Board, helping save Three Rivers from reservoir submersion. At his death in 1968, the Texas House of Representatives recognized him for complete loyalty and untiring devotion to duty. Jessy and Pauline Gray are buried in the Three Rivers Cemetery.

Three Rivers, Texas · United States