Brigadier General Arnold Gordon-Bray was born in Columbia, South Carolina to parents Keith Gordon and Martha Gordon. After graduating from Waynesville High School in Waynesville, Missouri in 1973, he enrolled in Central Missouri State University where he received his B.S. degree in art in 1978 and graduated from the school’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. In 1999, he graduated from the Air War College with his M.A. degree in military strategic studies; and, in 2001, Gordon-Bray graduated with his M.A. degree in operations management and supervision from the Naval War College before assuming command of the 2nd Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division, which he led until 2003. He served a second tour in Iraq from 2006 to 2007 as the principal advisor to the Iraqi Ground Force Commander. Gordon-Bray became deputy director of operations for the United States Africa Command in early 2011 before retiring in November 2012.
Interview with History Maker Brigadier BRAY. He talks about his upbringing, military career and what he hopes students will learn from the Back To School History Makers Program.
