The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Air Corps), [then Major] Leon Welton Gray (ASN: 0-373902), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while piloting an unarmed P-38 of the 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in reconnaissance operations against the enemy over Messina Straits and Northern Sicily on 26 July 1943. Valuable photographs of enemy installations were obtained through the heroic flight of Colonel Gray. These photographs proved of vital importance to the Seventh Army in the clearing of German and Italian troops from Sicily. The extraordinary heroism and complete disregard of personal safety displayed by Colonel Gray on this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
12th Reconnaissance SquadronRegiment:
5th Photographic Reconnaissance GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 41 (March 18, 1945)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) Leon Welton Gray (ASN: 0-373902), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of an unarmed P-38 Lighting Fighter Airplane of the 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Gray, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
12th Reconnaissance SquadronRegiment:
5th Photographic Reconnaissance GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Leon W. Gray (ASN: 0-373902), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of an unarmed P-38 of the 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations during World War II. His outstanding courage and dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
12th Reconnaissance SquadronRegiment:
5th Photographic Reconnaissance GroupDivision:
8th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Leon W. Gray (ASN: 0-373902), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of an unarmed P-38 of the 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations during World War II. His outstanding courage and dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.