Major Owen Park Gray, DFC

[archie777]

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) (Geo.VI) dated 1944;

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; WM; ASM 47416 O.P. Gray

 

DFC LONDON GAZETTE 14 NOVEMBER 1944
“Major Owen Park Gray (47416V), South African Air Force, No. 17 (S.A.A.F.) (Flight commander; sorties 93; flying hours 572.)

This officer, who is now on his second tour of operational duty, has an outstanding operational record. He has accomplished particularly good work during recent operations. In August, 1944, Major Gray located 4 enemy vessels off Savona.

 

Despite appalling weather, he flew at low level over the heavily defended port of Savona and delivered a telling attack. Later in the same month he participated in a highly successful attack on the oil refinery and dockyard of Port St. Louis du Rhone. At all times Major Gray has maintained a high standard of operational efficiency in his flight.”

Owen Park Gray was born in Escourt on 5 May 1907. He enlisted in the ACF in 1923 and served with the Natal Carbineers for four years. On 29 June 1938 he attested for service with the SAAF as a Pupil Pilot. He served as a Signal Officer with 11 Squadron in East Africa and subsequently briefly with 21 Squadron in Egypt before returning to the Union in August 1942.

Returning to the Middle East in December he was posted 17 Squadron on 27 January 1943 serving with the Squadron in Aden, the Mediterranean and in Italy. No. 17 Squadron was reformed on 8 October 1942 at Zwartkop.

 

It then moved to Aden, where it was equipped with Bristol Blenheims, using them to fly anti-submarine patrols for five months. In May 1943 these aircraft were flown to Egypt and distributed to other units, while No 17 Squadron's pilots were dispersed amongst transport units.

 

The squadron came back together in August 1943 when it received its Lockheed Venturas. These were used to fly anti-submarine patrols from bases in Palestine, in April 1944 the squadron moved to the western Mediterranean - first to Gibraltar and then quickly on to Bone. For the rest of the year the squadron flew anti shipping patrols off the southern French and northern Italian coasts as well as carrying out bombing raids on coastal targets.

 

Gray was promoted Temporary Captain on 27 May 1942 and as Temporary Major on 22 March 1944 while filling the post of Flight Commander in No. 17 Squadron.