Neil Oliver McCray

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on September 1, 2004:

Neil Oliver McCray Born April 16, 1927 - Died February 11, 1989 Neil Oliver McCray was born in Pennsylvania on 16 April 1927 and was appointed to West Point from Delaware on a Congressional Appointment. At West Point, his classmates had the following observations to make about Mac. "Mac, always friendly and generous, was one of the most popular members of the class. I Company's man of iron, Mac's principle interests were in Virginia Beach and Tampa after "taps" and on the athletic fields. His very casual approach to academics was the only thing that kept him from being the mainstay on many of our varsity squads. We will never forget this man above men." Mac went out for football for three years, for Lacrosse his plebe year, and for the Skeet Club his cow year. He was a Cadet Sergeant his first class year. On graduation Mac went in the Infantry and after completing the Basic Infantry Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, he reported to the 34th Infantry Regiment in Japan where he served through 1952. He then was assigned to the 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Division in Korea where he served until 1953. His next assignment was to the 29th Engineer Topographical Battalion where he served through 1953. Mac was then appointed Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General, United States Army, Japan and served in that role from 1955 to 1958. In 1959, Mac went to the Infantry School for the Advanced Infantry Course, and on completion was appointed Professor of Military Science at Lehigh University, Pennsylvania. While there, he did not waste any time and earned a Masters degree in History and Government. He completed this tour in 1962. He then attended the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1963. Mac's next assignment was to Military Assistance Command, Vietnam where he served until 1965. From 1965 to 1967 Mac was the Commanding Officer of a Training Battalion at the Armored Center, Fort Knox, Kentucky. Mac's last military assignment was to Headquarters, Southern Command, Canal Zone where he served until 1970 when he retired for physical disabilities as a Lieutenant Colonel. In 1971, in retirement, Mac became a Loan Officer, a position he occupied until his death on 11 February 1989. Mac was an Infantryman. For the Infantryman's Creed click Creed ufa

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