Gray, Everett Jay, born 07-02-1922, in Morris, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, USA 
the son of Daniel “Dan” W. Gray (1893–1982) and Cecelia Angeline, born Kelly, Gray (1896–1978). Everettt had 4 brothers and two sisters Everett, his brothers Vernon, Carlos, Leo, and Alvin, and his sisters Lena and Blanche Luellen Gray Oster (1926–1997). He grew up in Keenesburg, Colorado, and was still living at home and was childhood friends with one Dukeman Jr, William Heister “Buddy”..
After graduating high school the two young men and two friends decided to travel and work. They worked their way down the south west of the U.S. Gray and Dukeman enlisted once they heard about the “new Airborne Division and [an] extra 50 dollars”. After signing necessary paperwork, the enlistment, their training would begin in Toccoa, Georgia They enlisted in the Army on 22-08-1942, in San Francisco. They volunteered for the paratroopers and were sent to Camp Toccoa, Georgia, 
and placed in the1st platoon of Easy Company, 506th PIR 
.under command of Lieutenant General Robert Frederick “Bounding Bob” Sink 
of the 101 Airborne Division 
.with commander Major General Maxwell Davenport Taylor
The two friends made their first combat jump on DDay, 06-06-1944
Death and burial ground of Everett Jay Gray.
Sadly Everett was killed on the 08-06-1944, age 22, in battle in the Departement du Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France. 
He is buried in the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, overlooking Omaha Beach. Each year I like to include the picture of the view when standing at his grave looking out over Omaha beach and the sea, as it truly is a peaceful place for these young men to rest in peace. Sadly “Buddy”Dukeman would be killed in action in The Netherlands on 5th October,1944, age 23, killed in action, in Opheusden, Neder-Betuwe Municipality, Gelderland, Netherland, during Operation Market Garden, “A bridge too far”.
. Currahee to these two brave young men.
Message(s) for the webmaster, tips or interesting graves: robhopmans@outlook.com
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