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Photo # NH 103802:  Sergeant Ross F. Gray, USMCR

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Sergeant Ross F. Gray, USMCR, (1920-1945)

Ross Franklin Gray was born on 1 August 1920 in Marvel Valley, Alabama. After leaving school and working as a carpenter, Gray enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve from that state in July 1942 and underwent recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina. He then joined the Twenty-Third Marines, Fourth Marine Division. In Spring 1943, he was promoted to Private First Class and transferred to Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines. Following participation in the Marshalls and Marianas Campaigns in 1944, Gray was promoted to Sergeant and received training in the laying and clearing of minefields.

With his unit, he next took part in the bitter battle for Iwo Jima. On 21 February 1945, northeast of Airfield Number One, Gray cleared a path through heavily mined area then, while continually under fire, attacked and destroyed six Japanese emplacements with satchel charges. As the intense fight for Iwo Jima continued, Sergeant Gray was killed by an enemy shell on 27 February 1945. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life" during the 21 February action, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Ross F. Gray is buried at Ada Chapel Cemetery, West Blocton, Alabama.

USS Gray (DE-1054, later FF-1054), 1966-2000, was named in honor of Sergeant Gray.

This page features the only image we have concerning Ross F. Gray.


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Photo #: NH 103802

Sergeant Ross F. Gray, USMCR


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 195.
Ross F. Gray received the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life" on 21 February 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 46KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Sergeant Ross F. Gray (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 195):

"For conspicious gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Platoon Sergeant attached to Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 21 February 1945. Shrewdly gaging the tactical situation when his platoon was held up by a sudden barrage of hostile grenades while advancing toward the high ground northeast of Airfield No.1, Sergeant Gray promptly organized the withdrawl of his men from enemy grenade range, quickly moved forward alone to reconnoiter and discovered a heavily mined area extending along the front of a strong network of emplacements joined by covered trenches. Although assailed by furious gunfire, he cleared a path leading through the mine field to one of the fortifications, then returned to the platoon position and, informing his leader of the serious situation, volunteered to initiate an attack under cover of three fellow Marines. Alone and unarmed but carrying a huge satchel charge, he crept up on the Japanese emplacement, boldly hurled the short-fused explosive and sealed the entrance. Instantly taken under machine-gun fire from a second entrance to the same position, he unhesitatingly braved the increasingly vicious fusillades to crawl back for another charge, returned to his objective and blasted the second opening, thereby demolishing the position. Repeatedly covering the ground between the savagely defended enemy fortifications and his platoon area, he systematically approached, attacked and withdrew under blanketing fire to destroy a total of six Japanese positions, more than 25 troops and a quantity of vital ordnance gear and ammunition. Stouthearted and indomitable, Sergeant Gray had singlehandedly overcome a strong enemy garrison and had completely disarmed a large mine field before finally rejoining his unit. By his great personal valor, daring tactics and tenacious perseverance in the face of extreme peril, he had contributed materially to the fulfillment of his company mission. His gallant conduct throughout enhanced and sustained the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."


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Page made 31 May 2006