In November 1945 the British Admiralty announced that Lt Gtay had been awarded the Victoria Cross :
for great valour in leading an attack on a Japanese destroyer in Onagawa Wan on August 9 1945. In the face of fire from shore batteries and and a heavy concentration of fire from some five warships Lt Gray pressed home his attack flying 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 . Lt Gray has consistently shown a brilliant fighting spirit and most inspiring leadership.
In 1945 his ship was sent to join the British Pacific Fleet , and by August the Formidable's aircraft were attacking targets on the Japanese mainland.
the late Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray R.C.N.V.R.
The Japanese have had a long and brutal military history. They have faced millions of enemy combatants over the centuries . However they have erected only one monument dedicated to the bravery of a foreign combatant on Japanese soil . His name was Robert Hampton Gray.
Bomber Command R.C.A.F. F/LT Sean Dunn
He flew in at low level and sank a destroyer before being shot down in flames and crashing in the harbor. His body was never found .
Robert Hampton Gray was born in 1917 and raised in Nelson , British Columbia . After university he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve and took flight training in Kingston Ontario.
Lt Gray's final flight was on August 9 , 1945 . He lead an attack against warships in the port of Onagawa .
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS for valour to:-
In 1944 he transitioned to the F4-U Corsair fighter -bomber after which he was assigned to the British carrier H.M.S. Formidable .
He spent the next two years flying Hurricane fighters in the Mediterranean theater.
Lt. Gray was decorated for his efforts in attacking destroyers and the battleship Tirpitz in Nowegian waters .
ADMIRALTY Whithall , 13 November 1945.
Tom Dunn ©