Three Rivers in Live Oak County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Jessy Franklin Gray
(1895-1968)
Photographed by Larry D. Moore, August 28, 2020
1. Jessy Franklin Gray Marker
Inscription.
Jessy Franklin Gray. 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 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
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 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
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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. A significant historical date for this entry is June 6, 1919.
Location. 28° 27.677′ N, 98° 10.962′ W. Marker is in Three Rivers, Texas, in Live Oak County. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in South Texas. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
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 368 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 29, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas.
