Legacy of WWII pilot and Killeen native honored annually.
Mayor Jose Segarra will honor Bob Gray Day Friday at 2 p.m. at Gray’s grave at Killeen City Cemetery. Bob Gray Day is April 18.
The Mayor will present an official proclamation to a Gray descendant and join in laying a wreath of remembrance.
Captain Robert “Bob” Gray was a native of Killeen who flew in the famous Doolittle Raid over Tokyo at the start of World War II. He was successful in the mission but died six months later in the China-Burma Campaign.
R.T. Polk, Killeen’s 18th mayor who served from 1935 to 1943, first proclaimed Bob Gray Day in memory of the local hero. Mayor Polk ordered that for the duration of time, “flags will fly from every socket and flag pole in the community, and the day will be set aside permanently as the memorial to a brave heart that winged its way into the very vitals of enemy territory and destroyed military objectives that were calculated to bring harm and destruction to our great country.” Mayor Segarra will continue this tradition Friday.
Gray’s legacy continues to be honored with Gray Street in downtown Killeen, Robert Gray Army Airfield on Fort Hood and a historic display and bronze statue at Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport.