2004

One and One Quarter Life Size – Cast Bronze

Robert (Bob) Gray was probably known as a “Hot Shot” pilot. He was born in Killeen, Texas in 1919 and entered the Army Air Corps after attending college for two years. Because of his flying ability, he was chosen by then LTC Doolittle, to be part of a top-secret mission, to bomb Japan in retaliation for the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This sculpture’s face depicts the eager anticipation of the upcoming mission as Robert Gray checks his watch for takeoff time on 18 April 1942.

“Captain Robert Gray” sculpture was commissioned by the City of Killeen for the newly constructed Killeen Regional Airport. Robert Gray was a native of Killeen and flew with the historic Doolittle bombing raid over Japan in 1942.

The sculpture reflects Gray’s rank as 1st LT at the time of the raid. Gray was promoted to Captain after the raid on Japan.

After the raid, Doolittle had ordered all planes to continue to China- (It was not Communist at this time in history) and land or crash land depending on fuel levels. Robert Gray was helped by the Chinese forces fighting Japan and walked out of China wearing his Texas cowboy boots. He was killed about six months later in a crash during takeoff in Burma. Every year, on the 18th of April, Killeen, Texas has a Robert Gray Day honoring his memory.

Watch Close-up

The meaning of the watch:

The small hand is on 8.

The large hand is on 4.

The time would be 08:20 hours.

Across the top of the watch are the numbers 18-4-42. Indicating the date of the mission the way the military writes 18th Day 4th Month and 1942 the year.