Three Rivers in Live Oak County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Jessy Franklin Gray

(1895-1968)

By Larry D. Moore, August 28, 2020

1. Jessy Franklin Gray Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Educator, soldier, politician, and businessman, Jessy Franklin Gray was born in Wilson County on December 5, 1895. Passing the state teacher's exam at 17, he taught in Oakville and became school superintendent. Resigning when the United States entered World War I, Gray attended army officers training camp at Leon Springs Military Reservation in San Antonio. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on August 15, 1917. That same day, he married Pauline Campbell (1896-1985).

Assigned to Company D, 360th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division, Gray trained as a Gas Defense Officer. In France, he fought in the American Expeditionary Force under General John J. Pershing, pushing German combatants from the Saint-Mihiel salient. Gassed with wounds to his chest and legs, Gray was among the 7,000 U.S. casualties. However, he returned for the Meuse-Argonne offensive. On the night of November 2, 1918, all officers were killed, leaving Company A pinned down without leadership when Gray voluntarily took command, rallying the men. He received a Citation Star (Silver Star, 1932) and a promotion to 1st Lieutenant. Awarded the Purple Heart, Gray was honorably discharged

Jessy Franklin Gray Marker Area image. Click for full size.

By Larry D. Moore, August 28, 2020

2. Jessy Franklin Gray Marker Area

on June 6, 1919, and in 1950 he received a commemorative medal from the Saint-Mihiel town council.

Gray served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1945 to 1953. He advocated for the historic Gilmer Aikin Education Reform Act and served on the Water Resources Board, saving Three Rivers from reservoir submersion. The Texas House of Representatives recognized Jessy Franklin Gray at his death in 1968 for "complete loyalty and untiring devotion to duty.” Jessy and Pauline Gray are buried in the Three Rivers Cemetery

Erected 2018 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 20127.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • War, World I.

Location. 28° 27.677′ N, 98° 10.962′ W. Marker is in Three Rivers, Texas, in Live Oak County. Marker is on North Harborth Avenue (U.S. 281) south of East Alexander Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 N Harborth Avenue, Three Rivers TX 78071, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Felix Longoria (here, next to this marker); Rialto Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Birthplace of J. Frank Dobie (approx. 9.7 miles away); City of George West

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(approx. 9.7 miles away); Thelma Laura Pugh-Lindholm (approx. 9.7 miles away); VFW and American Legion War Memorial (approx. 9.7 miles away); Calliham (approx. 10.2 miles away); First Producing Gas Well in McMullen County and First Gas Pipeline to San Antonio (approx. 10.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Three Rivers.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. This page has been viewed 38 times since then and 2 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 29, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas.