Born: August 1920
War: World War II
Rank: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Location of Action: Iwo Jima
Date of Action: February 21, 1945
Official Medal of Honor Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty as a Platoon Sergeant attached to Company A,
1st Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on
Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 21 February 1945.
Shrewdly gauging 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, Sgt. Gray
promptly organized the withdrawal 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 minefield 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 3 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 machinegun 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 6 Japanese positions, more than 25 troops and a quantity of vital ordnance gear and
ammunition. Stouthearted and indomitable, Sgt. Gray had single-handedly overcome a
strong enemy garrison and had completely disarmed a large minefield before finally rejoining hisunit.
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
U.S. Naval Service.
ROSS FRANKLIN GRAY
