The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Harold Z. Gray (MCSN: 0-38165), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Plane in carrier based Marine Attack Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWELVE (VMA-312), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 24 February 1953. Participating in the rescue of a downed Marine aviator who was surrounded by hostile troops deep in enemy territory, Captain Gray conducted numerous daring, minimum-altitude strafing assaults to draw the heavy hostile fire away from the downed pilot. Although his own aircraft was severely damaged by enemy fire, he continued to maneuver his plane at low level through intense and accurate barrages of anti-aircraft fire directed at the downed aviator. After expending his remaining ordnance, he conducted repeated dummy strafing runs on the hostile positions despite the increasingly accurate enemy fire that was bursting around his faltering aircraft, and with his fuel supply dangerously low, remained in the area until relived by another flight of Marine attack aircraft. By his exemplary initiative and heroic actions in repeatedly subjecting himself to hostile fire, he was greatly responsible for the success of a mission that saved the life of a fellow Marine and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. His gallant fighting spirit, superb airmanship and steadfast devotion to duty reflect great credit upon Captain Gray and the United States Naval Service.