Steven T. Gray’s Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to

PRIVATE STEVEN THOMAS GRAY,
U.S. MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Steven Thomas Gray (338060), Private, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a member of a Point Platoon of Company F, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at cape Gloucester, New Britain, on 30 December 1943. In company with another member of a platoon, Private Gray held the most advanced point of his platoon and, by his daring initiative, was largely responsible for repelling two charges by the enemy. Although out of ammunition following the second assault, he boldly rushed forward about fifteen yards to charge a hostile pillbox from which the enemy had been supporting their counterattacks by machine-gun fire and, quickly throwing a hand grenade, destroyed thirteen of the Japanese force. Private Gray’s exceptional courage and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Born: 2 September 1924 in Belzoni, Miss…. Home of record: Belzoni, Miss…. Interred: Belzoni Cemetery in Belzoni, Miss.