Military Records: LCpl. George E. Gray, 1968, Winn Parish, LA Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: November 7, 1968 Winn Parish Enterprise-News American [PHOTO with following caption]: Lance Corporal George E. Gray (right) is congratulated by Major General E. B. Wheeler, commanding general, Marine Corps and 2nd Marine Division, after receiving the Navy Cross for heroism in Vietnam. Lance Corporal Gray's mother, Mrs. Wallace Higgs of Dodson, looks on. {official USMC Photo by Cpl. J. L. Brand} Winn Marine Awarded Navy Cross, Heroism A 19 year old Marine from Winnfield, who repeatedly risked his life to help save the lives of his "buddies" was awarded the nation's second highest medal for heroism in combat in a ceremony at Camp LeJeune, N. C., on October 19. LCpl. George E. Gray was awarded the Navy Cross by Major General E. B. Wheeler, commanding general, Marine Corps Base and 2nd Marine Division, during formal ceremonies held at Landing Zone Falcon, Camp LeJeune. LCpl. Gray was cited for "extraordinary heroism" while serving as an antitank assault man with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Vietnam. On February 2, 1968 Company E was advancing to seize a hill in Quang Tri Province overlooking National Route Nine to prevent the Communist from controlling the road. Suddenly, LCpl. (then PFC) Gray's platoon came under enemy fire from heavily fortified North Vietnamese Army (NVA) positions on a hill, pinning down the platoon and inflicting heavy casualties. "We started to get hit with artillery (as the platoon crossed the road) but there were just four or five rounds and then it stopped," LCpl. Gray said. But when the Marines began the assault up the hill, the NVA "really opened up", he said. "I don't know if it was artillery or rockets. It think it was rockets. You could see 'Charlie' on the hills around the area," LCpl. Gray remembered. Observing an enemy mortar emplacement, he disregarded his own safety and repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire during the attack on the NVA position. Wounded Three Times On three separate occasions he was wounded as he fired on the positions with his antitank weapon, but he ignored the injuries and refused medical aid. After expending all his rocket ammunition,, LCpl. Gray grabbed an M-16 rifle and continued to deliver accurate fire on the enemy. When he saw a wounded Marine lying in a fire swept area, exposed to hostile fire, he ran to his side and carried him to safety where he administered first aid. Later he was joined by two other Marines who assisted in providing medical attention to the wounded man. The sound of an incoming mortar round caused LCpl. Gray to react instantly. He pushed his two companions to the ground and covered the wounded Marine's body with his own. Although severely wounded by shrapnel from the exploding round, LCpl. Gray was able to prevent his fellow Marine from sustaining critical injuries. Wounded again by the enemy, but still refusing aid he continued to fight aggressively until the critical phase of the battle was over. LCpl. Gray is currently a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2d Marine Division. He is the son of Mrs. Wallace Higgs of Dodson and of George N. Gray of Winnfield.