The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Vernon L. Gray (ASN: 14061392), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving with the 13th Fighter Command, THIRTEENTH Air Force, in action on 14 November 1942, at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. While enemy ships were bombarding the airfield at which Sergeant Gray was located, a shell exploded and dazed one of the soldiers there, causing him to wander along the edge of the jungle. Disregarding the danger of shell fire, Sergeant Gray went to the soldier and helped him to the shelter of a foxhole. Before Sergeant Gray could himself reach shelter, a shell exploded nearby and wounded him seriously. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Corporal 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.