Rank: Lieutenant
Unit: No.1841 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve
Awarded: 1st February 1946
Nationality: Canadian
The citation in the London Gazette of 18th January 1946 gives the following details:
For great valour in leading an attack on a Japanese destroyer in Onagawa Wan on 9th 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.
Additional Information
Also awarded a DSC.
Born in British Columbia and after finishing his university education he joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve.
Known as Hammy to his friends, Gray qualified as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm in 1941.
Gray first saw action in Africa flying Hurricanes for two years and then later took part in several aerial attacks on the Tirpitz.
A memorial to Gray exists at Onagawa Wan, Japan. The location is metres away from where his plane crashed; this is the only memorial dedicated to a foreign soldier on Japanese soil.
Has no known grave.