The first volume in the autobiography of Gen. Al Gray, 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps, is significant because it chronicles the early life and career of a renowned leader.  Now, “Al Gray, Marine” is being honored by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.

The MCHF selected "Al Gray, Marine, The Early Years" for the Foundation's 2014 Colonel Joseph Alexander Award, created to recognize a distinguished book, either biographical or autobiographical, about a Marine. The award recognition includes placement of an engraved brick in Semper Fidelis Park adjacent to the National Museum of the Marine Corps. An awards dinner in April will honor book author Scott Laidig and Gen. Gray.

Gen. Gray is the Chairman of Potomac Institute’s Board of Regents and a Senior Fellow. Book Author and Marine Vietnam Veteran Scott Laidig is also a Senior Fellow at the Potomac Institute.  Proceeds from the sale of “Al Gray, Marine,” which is published by Potomac Institute, go to the Semper Fi Fund, which since 2004, has provided immediate financial assistance and lifetime support for injured and critically ill members of the post 9/11 U.S. Armed Forces and their families. The Semper Fi Fund has given more than 67,000 grants totaling more than $85 million to over 11,000 service members and their families.

Mr. Laidig said the award is important because it recognizes the time and effort by a lot of people involved in the process.

“Other than the acceptance by General Gray, which was the most important hurdle for me, The Colonel Joseph Alexander Award means others appreciate the time and effort that went into the book,” said Mr. Laidig. “It means that those of us involved produced something significant. From all those interviewed during the process, to the editors and contributors, to the people at Potomac Institute Press who worked so very hard, it means we produced something worthy of the great man about whom we wrote.”

The Colonel Joseph Alexander Award (named for the author and historian) was first awarded in 2012 to Chip Jones for his book, "War Shots: From Tarawa to Iwo Jima, Norm Hatch's Marine Camera Crusade," and in 2013, the Foundation recognized Gail Shisler's "For Country and Corps: The Life of General O.P. Smith." Previous to 2012 biographies were lumped in with all non-fiction books and competed for the Greene Award.

Even though this is just the first volume of the biography of Gen. Gray, Mr. Laidig said the ability to showcase the highest level of leadership and selflessness has been worth the investment of hundreds of hours.

“Most biographies about great warrior leaders cover the years when they were at the height of their profession. We were fortunate to be able to provide an in-depth look into the early years of such a man, when it was only apparent to those close to him how very exceptional he was,” commented Mr. Laidig. “And to a certain extent, we were able to document that his actions and decisions when no one was looking. It shows what can be accomplished if a person is more concerned about doing the right thing rather than worrying about who gets the credit. And it shows that real leaders put their men before themselves.”

The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation preserves and promulgates the history, traditions and culture of the Marine Corps and educates all Americans in its virtues. The Foundation vigorously seeks financial support to complete the National Museum of the Marine Corps and Heritage Center and to promote, support and endow the Marine Corps' long-term historical research and educational activities.

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“Al Gray, Marine: The Early Years” is available at Amazon as hardback, paperbook or e-book.