- SURNAME
Gray
- FORENAME
Olin Medler
- UNIT
4 Raider Bn (Company Q)
- RANK
Private First Class
- NUMBER
458574
- AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross
- PLACE
New Georgia 1943
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 08.03.1924, Fairfield, Illinois
father Otto Nathaniel Gray (1897-1968)
mother Winnie Wreath (nee Medler) (1899-1985)
1st wife Marlene
2nd wife Sybil Noll (married 02.1991, Chatham, Illinois)
home town Alton, Illinois
post war carpenter with the Union Local 377 for 40+ years
died 03.11.2013, Alton Memorial Hospital (Aged 89)
cremated (Godfrey Crematory)
CITATION:
Distinguished Service Cross : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Olin M. Gray (MCSN: 458574), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company Q, FOURTH Marine Raider Battalion, in the early part of the engagement at Bairoko Harbor, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, on 20 July 1943. After all the other men in his machine-gun squad had been either killed or wounded, Private Gray, on his own initiative, took over the gun and manned it single-handedly with spectacular daring and zeal during the entire action. He repeatedly exposed himself purposely to the Japanese and boldly invited fire so that their gun positions would be divulged. These challenging tactics netted him the discovery and destruction of two enemy machine-gun nests. During a withdrawal, he covered the rear elements of his company and was the last man to leave the area. His aggressive, fearless conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the service and contributed greatly to the success of his company's share in the action. The outstanding heroism and skill displayed by Private Gray on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/9056https://marineraiderassociation.org/gray-olin-m/
https://marines.togetherweserved.com/usmc/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=321507
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