38-year-old airman from Conyers killed in Afghanistan

As of Friday, August 10, 2012
© Copyright 2013 Newton Citizen

CONYERS -- U.S. Air Force Maj. Walter D. Gray, 38, of Conyers was among three soldiers killed in a suicide attack in Afghanistan this week, according to reports from the Associated Press.

All assigned to units based at Fort Carson in Colorado, the other two casualties were identified as Army Maj. Thomas E. Kennedy, 35, of West Point, N.Y., and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Griffin, 45, of Laramie, Wyo.

Authorities had said earlier that the insurgents who detonated suicide vests Wednesday in Kunar province killed three coalition service members and a civilian.

Gray was an air liaison officer and flight commander for the Fort Carson-based 13th Air Support Operations Squadron, which is part of the 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing headquartered at Moody Air Force Base near Valdosta.

"Maj. Gray's ultimate sacrifice is a tragic loss for the 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing family," said Co. Samuel Milam, wing commander, in a written statement. "He was a tremendous officer and leader. Our most heartfelt sympathies are with the Gray family and the Airmen of the 13th Air Support Operations Squadron during this difficult time."

Gray was commissioned in October 1997 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps after serving as an enlisted airman and was one of the Air Force's first career air liaison officers.

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