AUGUSTUS HENDERSON GRAY, also known as Gus, was born in Jackson, Butts, Georgia (GA) on 15 Oct 1912 to Henderson Levi and Ida Carrie (Loyd) Gray who married on 07 Feb 1911 in Butts county, GA. Gus' only full sibling was a younger brother, David Fletcher Gray (1914-1979). His mother, Ida, had been previously married to Thaddeus B. Burford. They married 23 Dec 1902 in Butts county, GA. Ida gave birth to two children: Thaddeus Loyd Burford who died at four years of age in 1909, and Paul Thaddeus Burford (1907-1970). They were Gus’ half brothers.

Henderson, who was born and raised in Butts County, GA, was a successful farmer, and one of the best-known citizens of the community. He died on 16 Mar 1928 from the effects of Brights disease and other complications. His condition had been critical for several weeks. After his father died, Gus, found part-time work where he could while still attending school. When the Great Depression struck, the family’s economic situation became very difficult. According to D.U. Spencer, Superintendent of Jackson, GA public schools, Gus completed the eighth grade. He was enrolled in the 9th grade when he decided to leave school on his 19th birthday, 15 Oct 1931, in order to enlist in the US Navy.

Later that day, he completed the initial application to enlist at the Naval Recruiting Station (NRS) in Atlanta, Georgia. Gus completed the preliminary entrance examination, submitted personal references, completed administrative paperwork which included submitting a valid birth certificate and passing background checks. Because he was not 21 years old, his mother, Ida, give her permission on 17 Oct 1931 for her son to enlist. After he completed those requirements, including passing a physical and dental exam, Gus was accepted for enlistment.

The enlistment process took almost two months to complete, but on Thursday morning, 10 Dec 1931 at the NRS Atlanta, GA, Gus was sworn into the US Navy as an Apprentice Seaman (AS) for four years of service with navy service number (NSN) 268-06-69. His beginning pay rate was $20.00 per month much of which he sent home to help support his mother and brother, David. Later that day, Gus boarded the train for his overnite trip to the Naval Training Station (NTS), Hampton Roads, VA for 12 weeks of recruit training. He graduated from recruit training on 13 Mar 1932 whereupon he was granted two weeks of recruit leave to return home to visit with family and friends before being assigned to a ship or additional training in the Navy’s Class “A” schools. He returned on 28 Mar 1932 to NTS Hampton Roads at the end of his leave to await further orders. On 10 Apr 1932, AS Gray advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c). On 22 Jul 1932, S2c Gray transferred from NTS Hampton Roads to the light cruiser, USS Marblehead (CL-12) for duty via the oiler, USS Sapelo (AO-11) and the heavy cruiser, USS Augusta (CA-31). The transfer took almost a month to complete.

After more than a year onboard Marblehead, Gus advanced in rate to Seaman First Class (S1c) on 06 Feb 1934. He was also designated a torpedoman striker. Several months later, S1c Gray was awarded the Navy “E” for receiving an excellent score in BTP”A.” He also received a commendation from his commanding officer. On 27 Nov 1934, Gus’s beloved mother, Ida Carrie Gray, was killed in a car accident in Butts County, GA.

Gus’ professional expertise was recognized with an appointment to the 8 week Battle Force Torpedo School in San Diego that began on 01 Mar 1935. While in school, Gus advanced in rate to Torpedoman Third Class (TM3c) on 11 March. The course ended with Gus graduating on 24 Apr 1935. He finished 5th in a class of 14 with an overall grade of 3.48/4.00. It was noted in his record that he completed the course with merit. After graduation, he returned to Marblehead to resume his duties. Petty Officer Gray was honorably discharged at the end of his enlistment on 09 Dec 1935. The following day, he began a two year extension on his enlistment on the Marblehead at San Diego. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal for his first tour of duty.

On 15 Feb 1936, Gus advanced in rate to Torpedoman Second Class (TM2c). A few weeks later he received temporary duty orders to the Torpedo Station at Newport, Rhode Island. The following year, TM2 Gray transferred on 12 Mar 1937 from Newport to the Receiving Station (R/S), Norfolk, VA for a temporary duty assignment with the new aircraft carrier, USS Yorktown (CV-5) at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Norfolk. Several months later, Gray transferred to the Yorktown’s pre-commissioning detail at the R/S in Norfolk on 01 July 1937. Yorktown was commissioned on 30 Sep 1937. Her crew, including Petty Officer Gray, reported on board later that day. On 09 Dec 1937, TM2 Gray was honorably discharged at the end of his extension of enlistment at the Naval Operating Base (NOB), Norfolk, VA. His pay rate was $79.20 per month.

After his discharge, Gray returned to Jackson, Georgia where he contemplated his future with his brother, David. Gus decided to return to active duty in the Navy. He reenlisted at the Navy Recruiting Station in Macon on 14 Feb 1938 for 4 years at the same rate, TM2c. Gray transferred to R/S Norfolk for general detail. On 24 Feb 1938, the R/S received orders to transfer TM2 Gray to the destroyer, USS Fanning (DD-385) for duty. On 28 Feb 1938, he transferred as a passenger to the new light cruiser, USS Brooklyn (CL-40) for further transfer (FFT) to Fanning. Gray transferred to the R/S New York on 02 March 1938. Later that day he reported for duty on board Fanning in New York. Fanning was commissioned at the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, NY on 08 Oct 1937. After fitting out, sea trials, and minor repairs, Fanning got underway and joined, on 22 April 1938, the light cruiser, USS Philadelphia (CL-41), who had embarked the President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, on a Caribbean cruise. She returned to New York on 11 May where she began an overhaul period. She then escorted MS Kungsholm with the Crown Prince of Sweden embarked. Then she steamed for the west coast to join the Battle Force in September, 1938. Sometime during the earliest days of his tour of duty onboard Fanning, Gus met and married Miss Ellen Eileen Goranson on 17 Jun 1938 in Manhattan, NYC, NY. Theirs must have been a whirlwind romance for Fanning was inport little between 2 Mar – 17 Jun 1938 when they married.

On 16 May 1939, TM2c Gray advanced in rate to Torpedoman First Class (TM1c). Not long after his promotion, Gray received orders to detach from Fanning and report to Asiatic Station for assignment. On 14 Aug 1939, Gray requested transportation to Manila, Philippines for his wife Ellen who lived in San Diego. On 19 Aug, he transferred to his ride across the Pacific; the oiler, USS Ramapo (AO-12). On 24 August, Mrs Gray received authorization for her transportation from Los Angeles, CA to Manila via the Presidents Line steamer, S.S. President Adams which was to sail on 24 Oct 1939. Ramapo steamed out of San Diego on 28 Aug 1939 bound for ports in the Far East including Manila via a number of port calls along the route. She stopped in San Pedro (30 Aug 39), Pearl Harbor (10 Sept), Midway (16 Sept), Guam (29 Sept), and Manila (05 Oct). He reported for duty onboard the destroyer tender, USS Black Hawk (AD—9) later that Thursday afternoon, 05 Oct 1939. Mrs Gray arrived on board S.S. President Adams in Manila about a month later. On 07 Jun 1940, TM1c Gray detached from Black Hawk and transferred to duty onboard the destroyer, USS Peary (DD-226).

Prelude to WAR!

The deterioration of relations between Japan and the West continued apace as World War II in Europe began. By autumn of 1940, the temper of the times and the persistent Japanese aggression made Shanghai untenable, so Admiral Hart finally withdrew his blue-water ships to Manila. He also issued a directive sending the families of his sailors home in l940. No families were allowed into the Philippines. There was push-back from the resentful spouses who initially declined to leave their husbands. It was only a threat to indefinitely restrict their spouses to their ships without leave that finally convinced the families; it was time to comply with orders and return to the continental United States (CONUS). Many traveled home on the President’s Steam Ship Line.

That was not the case for Mrs Gray. She received authorization in October 1940 for evacuation transportation to San Francisco, CA via the US Army Transport ship (USAT) Etolin (Previously S.S. Matsonia). Etolin arrived in Honolulu bound for the Orient on 20 Nov 1940. She departed the same day. Etolin arrived in Manila on 05 Dec 1940. Mrs Gray boarded the ship prior to Etolin’s departure for San Francisco on 11 Dec 1940. Nine days later on 20 Dec 1940, while still 1000 miles from Honolulu, Etolin sailed into a vicious typhoon with mountainous waves and winds that reached 120 mph, and which caused the death of 2 seamen; many passenger injuries and extensive ship damage. The story was penned by an onboard writer, Dudley K. Lyndon, and published on 27 Dec 1940, page 1, in the Honolulu Advertiser newspaper.

Mrs Gray had quite a story to tell when she arrived in San Francisco on 06 Jan 1941. She boarded an east bound train on 8 Jan 1941 traveling first class, and she arrived in New York City on 13 Jan 1941.

Admiral Hart's directive probably saved many family members from internment by the Japanese or worse. For many of the married sailors, including Petty Officer Gray, whose families were sent home, it was the last time they would ever see them.

The threat of hostilities between the United States and Japan grew closer to the boiling point as the year 1941 began. In July 1941, as Japanese aggression intensified with their move south into lower Indo-China, Admiral Hart warned his officers that he had no doubt that war would come although he didn’t know how of when it would start. Hart trained his destroyer crews hard keeping them on a war-footing for extended periods and away from Cavite naval base as much as possible exercising his “defensive deployment.”

Ordered to comply with the Adm. Hart’s “defensive deployment” well south of Manila, units of the Asiatic Fleet including destroyer tender USS Black Hawk (AD-9), USS Stewart (DD-224) and other ships of Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Nine (DesRon) 29, got underway on 25 Nov 1941, and arrived on the morning of 29 Nov 1941 in Balikpapan, a major oil port on the eastern coast of Borneo. Peary was not among the group of ships proceeding south.

Govern Yourself Accordingly!

Despite his best efforts, Admiral Hart was still caught by surprise by the Japanese attacks on 10 Dec 1941. Four of the Destroyer Division Fifty Nine (DesDiv 59) ships remained in the Manila Bay area during the first week of December 1941 for overhaul and repairs and two others to provide escort services for shipping. Two destroyers, Pillsbury and Peary, were in the navy yard at Cavite for repairs following a collision during night training exercises in late October. Peary was also there for a yard overhaul.

Peary was pier-side at Cavite’s Central wharf on the morning of 10 Dec 1941 in a “cold iron” state. She was essentially non-operational. Her engines disassembled, bow open awaiting a patch and, she was receiving “hotel” services (water, electricity and steam) from the pier (some reports indicate Peary was at the shipyard for routine maintenance). Many of her crew had moved ashore to continue repairs from base maintenance shops. Suddenly, about 1300, two flights of more than 50 Japanese twin-engine, land-based, medium bombers appeared over the naval installations and commenced to obliterate everything in sight.

About 1350, Peary sustained a direct hit with an estimated 250 pound bomb which contained a combination of shrapnel and incendiary explosives. The bomb struck her mast spraying shrapnel in every direction killing or wounding almost everyone on the fire-control platform, bridge, and other areas and starting fires. Eight sailors were killed outright and five officers, including the Commanding Officer, Lcdr Keith, were wounded. The executive officer, Lt Albert Eugene Gates, Jr., was found unconscious on the bridge mortally wounded. They were evacuated to Sternberg hospital in Manila where Lt Gates probably died (exact location of death unknown but presumed at the hospital.). According to Peary’s deck log of 10 Dec 1942, TM1c Gray was onboard during the attack, but was not wounded.

After the 10 Dec attack, the crew set to work making Peary ready for sea. It was a Herculean effort performed by the crew in conjunction with the facilities of Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Company to effect the minimum repairs in order to make Peary sea-worthy.

On 23-24 Dec 1941, Peary got underway on her first war mission; an antisubmarine patrol assignment in the Verde Island Passage between Luzon and the Philippine island of Mindoro. The day after Christmas 1941, the CO’s of USS Pillsbury and Peary were ashore at a conference with the Commandant, Sixteenth Naval District, Admiral Rockwell, to discuss releasing the ships to join other US forces in the Netherlands East Indies when enemy bombers suddenly appeared overhead. Peary was attacked by five flights of Japanese high level bombers. Each flight consisted of between 6 to 9 planes.

Lt Bermingham watched from shore as his new executive officer, Lt Martin M. Koivisto (he was also the gunnery officer), deftly maneuvered Peary around Manila Bay dodging bomb after bomb for several hours. Though she suffered a few near misses, Peary emerged virtually unscathed. Later that evening, Peary and Pillsbury were ordered to put to sea and proceed south by the best route and join Task Force 5 at Soerabaja, Java. For safety, each ship was to proceed independently.

Peary’s voyage south was eventful and dangerous as the Japanese held mastery of the air and sea. Intelligence information provided to Peary just after her departure from Manila indicated that Japanese warships probably lurked along his intended route to Surabaja. Capt. Bermingham changed his track and destination to Darwin, Australia. He traveled only by night and during the day he brought his ship close to shore and tied up to trees and covered the ship with palm fronds and green paint in order to blend with the flora of the various islands. Several times, Japanese bombers flew overhead but did not detect the ship. At about 0800, 28 Dec, Peary sighted a large Japanese four-engine seaplane shadowing her. It was a Kawanishi HK6 “Mavis” flying boat. About 1400, three more Mavis’ joined and the attacks began with each plane making two runs dropping a single bomb estimated at 500 pounds. During the attacks Kovisto's gun crews kept up continuous fire at the enemy planes. Peary maneuvered successfully avoiding the bombs.

Finally, after the flying boats completed their attacks, two twin engine, single wing torpedo planes appeared and commenced an attack on Peary dropping two torpedoes off the port bow and two off the port quarter. Again, the skipper maneuvered the ship out of danger. However, after dropping their ordnance, the enemy torpedo planes fired several strafing bursts which struck the stacks. They were driven off by heavy shipboard machine gun fire from Lt Kovisto's angry gunners.

About 1800, off Kema Island in the Bangka Strait, three Lockheed Hudson patrol bombers were sighted approaching from astern. The aircraft challenged Peary via signal light and she responded. The pilot was seen to wave his arm. However, one of the planes assumed a glide bombing profile. Peary’s anti-aircraft batteries opened fire and began maneuvering radically. One of Peary’s crewman lost his balance and fell overboard (he was picked up by a fisherman, but was turned over to the Japanese. He worked in a mine in Japan and was repatriated at the end of the war.).

Each Hudson made two attacks dropping a single 250 pound shrapnel bomb. There were no direct hits but near misses caused extensive damage. Peary was hit in various places topside and in the engineering spaces. The shrapnel hit in the engineering spaces and knocked one of Peary’s two main engines out of commission. It was great fortune that MM2 Frayer was not injured. One crewman was killed when he was struck by shrapnel (S1c Kenneth E. Quinaux, a machine gunner, was buried at sea during services at 2000 on 29 Dec 1941.). Prior to departing, each Hudson made a strafing run on the ship.

Peary anchored at Port Darwin at 0840, 03 Jan 1942 after a 2100 mile plus transit from Manila, Philippines to Darwin, Australia. Within a week of arriving at Darwin, twenty-eight enlisted men and officers became ill with a virulent form of Malaria or Dengue Fever, contracted when the ship anchored off remote Maitara Island near Ternate in the Halmakeras. It was necessary to stop there to make repairs after being attacked by Australian aircraft. Eventually eight men would die.

Peary received tender availability services from USS Black Hawk (AD-9) to affect temporary repairs and make Peary seaworthy. Those repairs were completed on 22 Jan 1942. Peary assumed submarine escort duties on numerous occasions. She was an anti-submarine escort for USS Langley (AV-3) from Darwin to Fremantle, Australia between 08-13 Feb 1942 and she steamed with USS Houston escorting a Darwin- Koepang convoy from 14 to 18 Feb 1942.

Peary returned to Port Darwin and anchored about 0100, 19 Feb 1942. About 1045, Port Darwin was attacked by a combined Japanese carrier and land base force of over 200 fighters and bombers. Peary was hit by five bombs. The fifth bomb, an incendiary, exploded in the after engine room opening the ship to the sea. Peary sank, stern first with her anti-aircraft guns still firing until the last enemy plane left the area.

Eighty-eight officers and men including the commanding officer were killed in her sinking; 57 survived, 20 of whom were wounded. TM1c Gray survived the immediate sinking of his ship. It is presumed that Gray, still alive, was rescued by Australians who manned small boats to rescue survivors in the water during the Japanese attack. Gray was transported to the Australian hospital ship Manunda. Gray died from extensive burns. He was buried at sea on 21 Feb 1942 at 11:00 AM. He was reported as missing in action on 20 Feb 1942 until 11 June 1942 when additional information listing deaths on board the Manunda reached the US Navy Department.

TM1c Gray was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal, American Campaign Medal with Fleet Clasp (bronze star in lieu Clasp), American Defense Service Medal w/Fleet Clasp (bronze star in lieu of clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/Fleet Clasp and two bronze stars (one bronze star in lieu of clasp), and the WWII Victory Medal. He is eligible for the US Army Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Defense Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon (retroactively). He previously received a Good Conduct Medal with bronze star (2 awards)

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TM1c’s Gray’s family received a personal commemoration from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It reads:

In grateful memory of Augustus Henderson GRAY, who died in the service of his country at SEA, Asiatic Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. Peary, 20 February 1943 (presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives – in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.

(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt,

President of the United States

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On 17 Apr 1942, Mrs Ellen Gray received a telegram from the Chief, Bureau of Navigation (later to be Bureau of Naval Personnel) in Washington, DC. It read in part; “The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your husband, Augustus Henderson Gray, Torpedoman First Class, US Navy, is missing following action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country. The Department appreciates your great anxiety and will furnish you further information promptly when received.”

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Mrs Gray received a letter from the Chief of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C., dated 26 Jun 1942. It reads: “My Dear Mrs Gray; This Bureau is in receipt of additional information concerning your husband, Augustus Henderson Gray, Torpedoman First Class, U.S. Navy, previously reported missing following the attack at Darwin, Australia on February, 19, 1942.

A report was received from the United States Naval Liaison Officer at Melbourne, Australia, which included excerpts from H.M. A. Hospital Ship MUNUNDA. One of these excerpts stated that your husband died of extensive burns on February 20th and was buried at sea on February 21st.

It is regretted that so long a time elapsed before the fate of your husband was determined, but it must be realized that many records were destroyed by enemy action, and due to the exigencies of war, reports concerning the personnel operating in the Southwest Pacific are meager and often greatly delayed.

Taking this opportunity to extend to you my deepest sympathy in your profound sorrow, I am

Sincerely yours,

Randall Jacobs,

Chief of Naval Personnel”

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A letter from the Chief of Naval Personnel dated 13 July 1942 and sent to Mrs Gray at this address: Mrs Ellen E. Gray, %Fountain, 32-31 Junction Blvd. Jackson Heights, N.Y.

It reads;

My Dear Mrs. Gray; I desire to offer you my personal condolence in the death of your husband, Augustus Henderson Gray, Torpedoman First Class, United States Navy, which occurred on February 20, 1942, at sea while attached to the USS Peary.

It is hoped that you may find comfort in the thought that he made the supreme sacrifice upholding the highest traditions of the Navy in the defense of his Country.

Sincerely yours,

Randall Jacobs

Chief of Naval Personnel

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In a letter to the Navy Bureau of Naval Personnel from Mrs Ellen Gray Parrish dated 12 Dec 1946, she informs the Bureau of her new address of 31-50-102nd Street, C/o Fountain, Corona, NY. She also stated that she had remarried.

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Citation of Units of Both Military and Naval Forces of the United States and Philippine Governments.

--489--

As authorized by Executive Order No. 9075 (sec. II, Bull. 11, W.D., 1942), a citation in the name of the President of the United States, as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction, is awarded to all units of both military and naval forces of the United States and Philippine Governments engaged in the defense of the Philippines since December 7, 1941. (Later, it was called the Army Presidential Unit Citation).

By order of the Secretary of War:

G. C. MARSHALL,

Chief of Staff.

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Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation

Establishing Authority

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation was established by Headquarters, Philippine National Defense Forces, General Order Number 532 of September 14, 1946, as amended.

Acceptance by the United States

For service during World War II, acceptance is sanctioned by Public Law 80-314, which authorized the acceptance and wear of foreign decoration, medals, and awards in connection with services in World War II between the inclusive dates of December 7, 1941 and July 24, 1948.

Effective Dates

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation has been in effect since September 14, 1946.

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation is awarded for extraordinarily meritorious service. The Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded to United States military personnel who participated in the following:

• World War II

Service in the defense of the Philippines from December 7, 1941 to May 10, 1942.

Service in the liberation of the Philippines from October 17, 1944 to July 4, 1945.

All U.S. military units and naval vessels that earned any of the Philippine engagement stars are entitled to the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.

Certain submarines which maintained physical contact with guerrilla forces during the Japanese occupation of the Philippine Islands.

Online: https://rollofhonor.org/public/htmldetails.aspx?Cat=foreignaward&EntID=352

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Primary Sources:

1) Gray, Augustus Henderson, Torpedoman First Class, US Navy Service Record, The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR), St Louis, MO. December 2023.

2) Cox, Jeffery R., Rising Sun, Falling Skies, Osprey Publishing, UK, 2015.

3) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., In the Highest Degree Tragic, The Sacrifice of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the East Indies During World War II, Potomac Books, 2017.

4) Winslow, W.G., The Fleet The Gods Forgot: The U.S. Asiatic Fleet In World War II, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland. 1982.

5) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., A Blue Sea of Blood: deciphering the mysterious fate of the USS Edsall, Zenith Press, 2008.

6) Deck logs USS Peary retrieved 15 November 2021.

7) Wikipedia page, USS Peary (DD-226), Retrieved 12 November 2021.

8) Wilde, E. Andrew Jr. (Ed). U.S.S. Peary (DD-226) in World War II, Manila to Darwin, 12/10/41-2/19/42 : Needham, Mass. : The Editor, 2007. http://destroyerhistory.org/assets/pdf/wilde/226Peary_wilde.pdf

9) Wikipedia page, USS Fanning (DD-385) Retrieved online 19 Dec 2023.

10) Fold3 by Ancestry Navy Muster reports and Change reports

11) Ancestry.com Navy WWII muster and Change reports

12) Naval History and Heritage Command, Fanning II (DD-385) 1937-1945, 2017 Dictionary of American Fighting Ships (DANFS), Retrieved online 19 Dec 2023.

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Link to USS Peary memorial in Darwin, Australia with list of names of those lost in the sinking of the ship. It’s a cenotaph. https://www.maritimequest.com/misc_pages/monuments_memorials/uss_Peary_memorial.htm

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Bio#439 compiled by Gerry Lawton on 19 Dec 2023 (G47)

Military Hall of Honor #139186

Find a Grave Memorial ID: 262409473