World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. He was gazetted for the award posthumously on November 13, 1945, for his actions as a lieutenant with the 1841 Squadron, HMS Formidable, Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, on August 9, 1945, at Onagawa Bay, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The son of a jeweler, following his college education he enlisted in 1940 in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve and was sent to England for training. He served in Nairobi, Kenya, for two years, then in 1944 was assigned to the 1841st Naval Air Squadron based on the HMS Formidable, and took part in the unsuccessful Operation Goodwood raids against the German battleship Tirpitz in Norway. In April 1945, his aircraft carrier joined the British Pacific Fleet which was involved in the invasion of Okinawa, and by July 1945 the carrier was involved in strikes on the Japanese mainland. On August 9, 1945, his Vought F4U Corsair aircraft led an attack on a group of Japanese naval vessels, sinking the escort ship Amakusa before his plane crashed into the bay. His body was never recovered. His other military awards and honors include the Distinguished Service Cross, the 1939-1945 Star, the Atlantic Star, the Africa Star. the Pacific Star, the Defence Medal (United Kingdom), the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (with overseas service bar), and the 1939-1945 War Medal. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For great valour in leading an attack on a Japanese destroyer in Onagawa Wan, on 9 August 1945. In the face of fire from shore batteries and a heavy concentration of fire from some five warships Lieutenant Gray pressed home his attack, flying very low in order to ensure success, and, although he was hit and his aircraft was in flames, he obtained at least one direct hit, sinking the destroyer. Lieutenant Gray has consistently shown a brilliant fighting spirit and most inspiring leadership." He had numerous honors bestowed upon him, including a bust at the Valiants Memorial in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. He was gazetted for the award posthumously on November 13, 1945, for his actions as a lieutenant with the 1841 Squadron, HMS Formidable, Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, on August 9, 1945, at Onagawa Bay, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The son of a jeweler, following his college education he enlisted in 1940 in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve and was sent to England for training. He served in Nairobi, Kenya, for two years, then in 1944 was assigned to the 1841st Naval Air Squadron based on the HMS Formidable, and took part in the unsuccessful Operation Goodwood raids against the German battleship Tirpitz in Norway. In April 1945, his aircraft carrier joined the British Pacific Fleet which was involved in the invasion of Okinawa, and by July 1945 the carrier was involved in strikes on the Japanese mainland. On August 9, 1945, his Vought F4U Corsair aircraft led an attack on a group of Japanese naval vessels, sinking the escort ship Amakusa before his plane crashed into the bay. His body was never recovered. His other military awards and honors include the Distinguished Service Cross, the 1939-1945 Star, the Atlantic Star, the Africa Star. the Pacific Star, the Defence Medal (United Kingdom), the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (with overseas service bar), and the 1939-1945 War Medal. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For great valour in leading an attack on a Japanese destroyer in Onagawa Wan, on 9 August 1945. In the face of fire from shore batteries and a heavy concentration of fire from some five warships Lieutenant Gray pressed home his attack, flying very low in order to ensure success, and, although he was hit and his aircraft was in flames, he obtained at least one direct hit, sinking the destroyer. Lieutenant Gray has consistently shown a brilliant fighting spirit and most inspiring leadership." He had numerous honors bestowed upon him, including a bust at the Valiants Memorial in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Gravesite Details
Lieutenant, Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve. Age: 27.
Advertisement
See more Gray memorials in:
Advertisement
