The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Fred W. Gray (AFSN: FR-26602), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-1E Skyraider Pilot in Southeast Asia on 26 June 1967. On that date, Major Gray was flying his A-1E Skyraider in support of friendly ground forces engaged in defense of their beleaguered outpost. With unwavering calmness and courage, Major Gray attacked and destroyed critical storage areas, troop emplacements and anti-aircraft gun positions despite mountainous terrain, low cloud cover and withering fire from the hostile forces which damaged two of the friendly aircraft. Major Gray remained in this hostile area for more than one hour making approximately fifteen passes against the unfriendly positions. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Gray reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Fred W. Gray (AFSN: FR-26602), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A-1E Skyraider pilot in Southeast Asia on 20 November 1967. On that date, Major Gray participated in the successful rescue of two downed pilots from hostile territory. This feat required the penetration of an overcast in mountainous terrain and flight beneath the overcast in extremely limited airspace within range of an active missile site. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Gray reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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 addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major Fred W. Gray (AFSN: FR-26602), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1E Skyraider Pilot in Southeast Asia on 25 December 1967. On that date, Major Gray led an element in a flight of four A-1’s in effecting the rescue of two jet fighter pilots who had been downed by hostile ground fire in South Vietnam. In spite of poor weather conditions, limited communications and with the downed pilots under heavy hostile ground fire, Major Gray pressed the search until the survivors were recovered. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Gray reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

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 with Combat “V” to Major Fred W. Gray (AFSN: FR-26602), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1E Skyraider Pilot in Southeast Asia on 10 July 1967. On that date, Major Gray was flying his A-1E Skyraider in support of a search and rescue effort for a downed F-105 pilot located less than three hundred yards from a heavily defended infiltration route. Major Gray voluntarily risked his life by making numerous low passes in this area despite low ceilings, mountainous terrain and devastating ground fire which damaged two of the rescue aircraft on several passes. Major Gray remained in the area for well over an hour and contributed significantly to the recovery of the downed pilot as well as inflicting heavy losses upon the hostile forces opposing the rescue effort. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Gray reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major Fred W. Gray (AFSN: FR-26602), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-1E Skyraider Pilot over North Vietnam on 8 November 1967. On that date, Major Gray led a search and rescue effort for a downed pilot from an extremely heavily defended area in North Vietnam. Major Gray voluntarily risked his life for an extended period in locating and directing the recovery of the downed pilot despite devastating ground fire which damaged one of the rescue aircraft and surface-to-air missiles which were fired at the rescue force. He was directly responsible for the recovery of the downed pilot under the worst conditions possible. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Gray reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.