Robert Hampton Gray

Gray was born in Trail, British Columbia, Canada, but resided from an early age in Nelson, where his father was a jeweller.^[1]

He completed one year at the University of Alberta before transferring to the Bachelor of Arts program at The University of British Columbia where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.^[2]

Before completing university, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) at HMCS Tecumseh in Calgary, Alberta on July 18, 1940. Originally sent to England for training in September Gray decided to join the Fleet Air Arm. Gray began his training at HMS St Vincent in January 1941 then 24th Elementary Flying Training School in Luton by March. Gray was sent back to Canada to train at RCAF Station Kingston in June. Once completing his training in September, Gray was given the rank of sub-lieutenant and by November was sent back to England to train on the Hawker Hurricane at HMS Heron. While at HMS Heron Gray had the chance to meet his brother Jack, who played the role of an RCAF air gunner in the film Target for Tonight, before being killed in a air accident not long after.

Gray initially joined 757 Naval Air Squadron at Winchester, England at the end of February 1942 where he conducted further training.

Gray was assigned to the African theatre in May 1942, flying Hawker Hurricanes for shore-based squadrons, nos. 795, 803, and 877, where he spent two years at Nairobi.^[3] In December Gray served for a brief time aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious and on December 31 was promoted to lieutenant.

In February 1944 Gray was transferred back to England where trained to fly the Vought F4U Corsair fighter with 748 Naval Air Squadron at HMS Heron and on August 14 he joined 1841 NAS, based on HMS Formidable. From August 24–29, Gray took part in the unsuccessful Operation Goodwood raids against the German battleship Tirpitz, in Norway. On August 29, Gray was Mentioned in Dispatches for his participation in an attack on three German destroyers, during which his plane's rudder was shot off.^[3] On January 16, 1945, he received a further Mention, "For undaunted courage, skill and determination in carrying out daring attacks on the German battleship Tirpitz."^[4]

On April 4, 1945, Formidable joined the British Pacific Fleet which was involved in the invasion of Okinawa. On April 16, Gray led a flight of Corsairs during the attacks against Ishigaki and Miyako airfields on Okinawa. Gray conducted combat air patrols for the remainder of April and into May. In the aftermath of the kamikaze strikes on Formidable, the ship returned to Sydney, Australia, on May 22 where Gray helped train replacements from May to July before returning to combat on July 17. On July 18, Gray led a strafing mission against airfields in the Tokyo area and another flight to the inland sea on July 24, which damaged one merchant ship, and damaged two seaplane bases and one airbase. Gray earned a Distinguished Service Cross for aiding in sinking a Japanese destroyer in the area of Tokyo on July 28.^[3] The award was not announced until August 21, 1945, when the notice appeared in the London Gazette with the citation, "For determination and address in air attacks on targets in Japan".^[5]

On August 9, 1945, Gray original mission was to attack Matsushima airfield, however when it was realized the airfield was out of commission Gray was ordered to attack targets of opportunity. Having spotted Japanese shipping at Onagawa Bay, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, early in the flight, Gray led the strike force towards the bay. A few hours after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Lieutenant Gray (flying Vought F4U Corsair KD658, with 151 as his insignia and an X on the aircraft's tail)^[6] led an attack on a group of Japanese naval vessels. Gray scored a direct hit upon the Etorofu-class escort ship Amakusa with a 500-lb bomb which passed through the engine room and detonated a magazine below the after gun turret. The resultant explosion blew out the ship's side and caused it to sink rapidly with the loss of 71 crewmen. Gray's plane was damaged by anti-aircraft fire and crashed into the bay. He did not survive.^[7][8]

The citation for his VC, gazetted on November 13, 1945, described as being:

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.^[9]

Gray was one of the last Canadians to die during World War II,^[7] and was the last Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross. His VC is owned by the Gray family.^[10]

Gray's personal awards and decorations include the following:

Ribbon	Description	Notes
	Victoria Cross	Citation for Victoria Cross (VC)[11]
	Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)	Citation for Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)[12]
	1939–1945 Star	WWII 1939–1945
	Atlantic Star	WWII 1939–1945
	Africa Star	WWII 1939–1945
	Pacific Star	WWII 1939–1945
	Defence Medal (United Kingdom)	WWII 1939–1945
	Canadian Volunteer Service Medal	WWII 1939–1945 with Overseas Service bar
	War Medal 1939–1945 with Mentioned in dispatches	WWII 1939-1945[13]