Cy Gray

Roderick Borden Gray
GC
Born 1917
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada[1]
Died 27 August 1944
Service/branch Royal Canadian Air Force
Rank Flying Officer
Battles/wars World War II
Awards George Cross

Flying Officer Roderick Borden Gray, GC (1917–1944), known as Cy Gray,[2] of the Royal Canadian Air Force was posthumously awarded the George Cross[3] for his self-sacrifice in putting the lives of his comrades ahead of his own.

After being shot down on over the Atlantic on August 27, 1944 by an enemy fighter, he helped two wounded crewmen into a dinghy but refused to climb aboard it himself, fearing it would capsize and imperil them all. Despite his own severe injuries he clung to the side of the dinghy instead, losing consciousness after several hours in the frigid water and drowning. His colleagues were eventually rescued and their account prompted the award. He was originally nominated for the Albert Medal. Notice of his award appeared in the London Gazette on March 13, 1945.

The 155 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron is named in his honour.

References

  1. ↑ "Courage Remembered website". Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  2. ↑ Michael Ashcroft, George Cross Heroes, 2010
  3. ↑ George Cross Database Recipient at www.gc-database.co.uk
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