On Dec. 10, the US Army Will Have Its First Execution Since 1961

The United States Army is set to have its first execution in a nearly fifty years. The last execution was carried out back in 1961.

December 10, 2008 will be a historical date for the United States Army. It will have its first execution since 1961. According to the United States Army, soldier Ronald A. Gray of North Carolina will be executed. The place of the execution will be at the federal prison complex in Terre Haute, Indiana. For the time being, Gray is being held in Fort Leavenworth, Kasnas. Gray’s execution was approved back in July by current United States President George W. Bush. One must ask: Who is Ronald A. Gray? Gray was a cook in the US Army. One must also ask: What is Gray’s crime(s)? Gray was convicted for carrying out a string of murders and rapes while being stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina between 1986 and 1987. Gray was convicted back in 1988. He was charged for the rapes and murders of Army Private Laura Lee Vickery Claw in 1986 and civilian cab driver Kimberly Ann Ruggles in 1987. Their rapes and murders were at least one month apart. In the same month as Ruggles’ death, there was the rape and attempted murder of Army private Mary Ann Nameth. Nameth was stabbed three times in the neck. In the TIME Magazine article, it says that the last military execution was in 1961. The person was Army private John Bennett. He was executed by hanging for the rape and attempted murder of an 11 year old girl in Australia. The online British news site Times Online explains Bennett’s execution was approved in 1957 by then US President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Gray is set to be executed by lethal injection. Military executions require a signature of approval from the United States President.