President
Colonel David R. Gray, USA, PhD.
B.A., Western Illinois University
M.A., Ohio State University
Ph.D., Ohio State University
Phone: (610) 989-1203
COL David R. Gray, USA (Ret.) took office as the 11th president of Valley Forge Military Academy & College in July 2010.
Colonel (Retired) David R. Gray is a 1980 Distinguished Military Graduate of Western Illinois University where he majored in History. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College (JPME II), and the US Army War College. He has earned a masters degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College and masters and doctorate degrees in Military History from The Ohio State University. He has published articles in several professional journals including Parameters, Military Review, Army History, and Army Magazine.
Colonel (R) Gray has served in a number of command and staff assignments in the continental United States and overseas. As a company grade officer his significant assignments included service as rifle platoon leader in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and commanding rifle and headquarters and headquarters companies in the 7th Infantry Division (Light) at Fort Ord, California. As an assistant professor of history from 1990-93, Colonel Gray taught military history courses at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. He served as an infantry battalion executive officer, G-3 Training, and 2nd Brigade Operations Officer in the 25th Infantry Division (Light) at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii from 1994-96. Following duties on the Joint Staff in Washington DC, he commanded the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry, 10th Mountain Division (Light) at Fort Drum, New York from 1998-2000, then served as the Division’s G3 (Assistant Chief of Staff Operations and Training). Colonel Gray was selected as the 2004 US Army Federal Executive Fellow at the Brookings Institute, where he worked on national security and foreign policy issues. Colonel Gray subsequently commanded the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AASLT). Subsequently, he worked as a strategist on a JCS Working Group. Colonel Gray served as the Executive Officer to Chief of Staff, Army at the Headquarters, Department of Army. Prior to retirement, he was the Class of 1969 Chair and Professor of Officership and served as the Director of Policy, Strategic Planning, and Assessments at the United States Military Academy. He is currently the President, Valley Forge Military Academy and College in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
Colonel (R) Gray has participated in both peacekeeping and combat operations. He served as a task force executive officer in Haiti during Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, as a battalion task force commander in Bosnia during Operation JOINT FORGE, and as the CJ3 (Chief of Operations and Plans) for Coalition Joint Task Force Mountain in Afghanistan during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM I. Most recently, Colonel Gray commanded the 1st Brigade Combat Team in northern Iraq as part of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 05-07.
Colonel (R) Gray’s awards and decorations include: the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (3 awards), Bronze Star Medal (2 awards), Joint Defense Service Medal (2 awards), Army Commendation Award (2 awards), Army Achievement Award (2 awards), Armed Forces’ Expeditionary Medal (2 awards), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Humanitarian Service Award, Iraqi Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Award (with Bronze Star), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3 awards), NATO Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award (2 awards), and Army Superior Unit Award. He has earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Ranger Tab, Parachutist and Air Assault Badges.
Colonel (R) Gray and his wife Karen have three daughters: Captain Stephanie Bankson, Jennifer, and Megan.