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Birth
Robert Hampton Gray was born on November 2 1917 at Trail,British Columbia.His parents were John Balfour Gray and Wilhelmina Gray. -
World War 2
Robert Gray wanted to be a doctor so he studied at the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta. But, in the summer of 1940, he enrolled in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve at HMCS Tecumseh in 1940. -
Pilot Training
Robert Gray had trained to know how to fly the Corsair fighter and in 1944 he was assigned to 1841 Squadron, based on HMS Formidable.
(Exact date unknown) -
Mention Dispatches Award
On August 29, 1944, he won one of his Mention Dispataches awards. He won the award for participating in an attack on 3 German Destroyers. -
Distinguished Service Cross Award
On July 1945, Robert Gray earned a Distinguished Service Cross for helping bomb in sinking a Japanese destroyer in the area of Tokyo. -
Death
Robert Gray died on 1945 at the age of 27 at Onawa Honshu Japan. He served from 1940-1945 which is 5 years. -
Why Robert Gray was a Hero
In my opinion, I think that Robert Gray derserves to be call war hero and this is why. At first, he wanted to be a doctor and studied that in university. But World War 2 was going on and he made the big choice to participate in it.He trained to be a pilot and he got pretty good at it. But then, on August 9, 1945 he found a target, but his plane got hit by flak and fell in the sea which took away his life at age 27. -
Why Robert Gray was a Hero Part #2
I think that Robert Gray's contribution was giving up his life. This is why I think this. He made a big desision to go to war which is a very brave thing to do.He knew that he was risking his life and that at any time he could be killed.On the 9 of August 1945 he lost his life when his plane fell in the sea.Even though he was one person,he was one person risking his life for Canada's freedom. -
Victoria Cross Award
Robert Gray had to fly low because it was the only way he could hit a target. But when he tried hitting a target. his plane got hit by flak and it went on fire.Even though this had happened, he still decided to continue and he was able to bomb the the destroyer he targeted, but his plane dropped in the sea and took his life.He was also the last Canadian to win a Victoria Cross. in World War 2.
This gave him a recommendation for his Victoria Cross award.