Gray (FF 1054) - Naval Cruise Book

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PAST HISTORY USS GRAY tl-'I-'-l05-IJ is named in honor ofSergeant Ross Franklin Gray. United States Marine Corps Reserve, who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor in action on 2I February l945 during the invasion of Iwo Jima. GRAY is the eighth ship ofthe KNOX class ol destroyer escorts to be commissioned. This type of ship was specially designed to locate and destroy su bmarinesz but it is also equipped to perform effectively in patrol. anti-air warlare. shore bombardment. and command functions. GRAY was built by Todd Shipyards of Seattle. Washington. Her keel was laid on I9 November 1966, she was launched and christened on 3 Nov ember I967 and she was commissioned on 4 April l970. On 2 March I97l. GRAY sailed for her first WESTPAC deployment during which she participated in virtually every type ot operation which destroyers are called upon to perform. She operated in the Sea ofJapan and was also assigned to Search and Rescue duties during combat operations in the Gulf of Tonkin. GRAY returned to home port in San Diego on 25 August l97l. Alter being awarded the Flotilla Battle Efficiency E for her superior performance during her second WESTPAC in the fall of I972. GRAY further distinguished herself by becoming the first Pacific Fleet ship to qualify for Unrestricted Steaming by the l200 PSI Propulsion Examining Board. GRAY completed her third successful WESTPAC in January I974. and six months later commenced her first extensive overhaul and moderniza- tion in 'I odd Shipyard. Seattle. Washington. This overhaul was completed on I6 April I975. GRAY completed her fourth WESTPAC deployment on 9 July I976. This eight month deployment included operations with foreign navies, and a 70-day excursion in the Indian Ocean. On I8 September I976 GRAY entered Long Beach Naval Shipyard for installation of the HARPOON missile. After completion of her Long Beach availability. GRAY com- menced a rigorous operating schedule including various pre-deployment inspections and designation as the evaluation ship for the HARPOON missile weapon system. On 6 September I977. GRAY departed for her fifth WESTPAC. She was fortunate to make a 77-day trip through the South Pacific, including port visits in Fiji. New Zealand. Australia and Indonesia. Several months after her return in April I978. GRAY again returned to Todd Shipyard. Seattle. Washington for her second major overhaul since commissioning. GRAY returned to San Diego on I0 November I979. after her extensive I4-month overhaul period. For the next twelve months, GRAY prepared herself for her sixth WESTPAC deployment by successfully passing a number of training and inspection evolutions as well as participating in several major PAC FLEET exercises. CRUISE HISTORY On 22 November l980, Gray steamed out of San Diego Bay to commence her WestPac Cruise. Leaving behind fam- ily and friends is always tough, but knowing that we finally were on our way to do what we had spent all year training for made the departure exciting, but don't tell our dependents. Assuming tactical command of USS LANG and USS ELLIOT, USS GRAY sailed westward, reaching Pearl Har- bor on 2 December. Here USS GRAY and hertask unit were joined by and had the unique opportunity to operate with three Japanese destroyers. As the combined task unit crossed the International Date Line, the traditional one day was lost, but ironically the unique situation involving this missing day was that it was December 7th. lt seemed appropriate that in this setting, the 39th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, that neither side observe that infamous day. After detaching the Japanese units on I2 December, USS GRAY, USS LANG, and USS ELLIOT made a briefstop in Guam and continued west, arriving in Subic Bay on 21 December l980. As 1980 came to a close, USS GRAY spent her last I0 days of the year recovering from the 8,000 mile transit and looking ahead to preparation for SEVENTH Fleet operations which would include South China Sea ope- rations and an Indian Ocean deployment. USS GRAY faced the approaching New Year with great confidence. USS GRAY completed ten years ofservice in l980 and was ready to begin her second decade still known as the World's Grea- test Frigate. 3

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SERGEANT ROSS FRANKLIN GRAY Sergeant Ross H. Gray was born in 'I-iilycffllnc SPVIUSIS- Alilhilma- I August l920. He attended Centerville High School. leaying alter three vears to work for his father as a carpenter. He worked at this tradeuntil he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve 22 July l942, at Birmingham. Alabama. i , I After training at Parris Island and New River. Ross Gray joined the Fotirth Marine Division. in September of that year. Promoted to Private First Class in April I943, he was transferred tothe 25th Marines a month later. 1 Private First Class Gray sailed for the Pacific Theater I3 .Ianuary I944. He took part in the capture of Roi and Namur Islands I I-2 Februaryj and in March was promoted to Corporal. After fighting in the Battle for Saipan tl5 June - 7 Julyj. he then participated in the 24 .Iuly- I August capture of Tinian. Promoted to Sergeant in August I944. Gray attended the Fourth Div- ision Mine and Booby Trap School. where he was trained to instruct troops in the laying of niinefields and in the detection and handling ofenemy mines and booby traps. Sergeant Gray landed on Iwo Jima I9 February l945. Two days later. D-Day. he was in acting command of a platoon held up by a barrage of Japanese grenades. Pulling his platoon out of range. he went forward alone to reconnoiter the area. He discovered a strong network ofenemy fortifica- tions protected by an extensive minefield. Under heavy fire, he cleared a path through the minefield. Returning to his platoon. he collected three volunteers and a supply of satchel charges. Covered by the fire ofthe three volunteers, Gray returned through the minefield with a satchel charge, throwing the charge into one ofthe Japanese emplacements and destroying it. He then went back for another charge. Six times in all, Gray crossed the minefield carrying an explosive charge to destroy another Japanese posi- tion. The enemy's fire was constant and intense: at one moment a Japanese grenade exploded close enough to him to blow his helmet off. Throughout his one-man offensive, Gray went unarmed to more easily carry and handle his satcliel charges. After destroying the enemy fortifications, Gray than went back img the minefield and completely disarmed it before returning to his platoon. A later count showed that the Alabamian had killed over 25 ofthe enemy and destroyed a machine gun. a small field piece. and an ammunition dump. Ihough unseathed by the hail of enemy fire to which he had been subjected. Sergeant Gray was killed six days later. 27 February l945. by an enemy shell which fatally wounded him. ' I For the great personal valor. daring tactics and tenacious perserverance in the lace of extreme peril displayed in his gallant action on 2l February, Sergeant Gray was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. i

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A Q fi' A Kam' A sr A. fr, is ,,... FCRMER COMMANDING CFFICER CDR E. L. HANSEN, JR Commander Eigil L. Hansen. Jr.. was born in Newport News, Virginia on 30 July 1938. The son ofa naval officer. he attended George Mason Junior-Senior High School in Falls Church. Virginia and upon graduation entered the U.S. Naval Academy. He received his commission in June 1960. Commander Hansen has served tours ofduty on board the USS HOOPER QDE-10261. USS REXBURG QEPCEDR- 8551, and USS WADDELL KDDG-243. Later. he served as Executive Officer o1'USS BUCHANAN CDDG-143 and par- ticipated in the mining operations of Haiphong in 1972. During his last tour ol' sea duty prior to reporting to USS GRAY. Commander Hansen sened as Chie1'Staf1JG11'icer of. first. Destroyere Squadron ONE and. then. Destroyer Squadron TWENTY-THREE. Commander Hansen has commanded the USS GRAY QPF-10543 since 19 January 1979. Commander Hansen holds a Master o1'Seience Degree in Personnel Administration from George Washington Univer- sity. He is a distinguished graduate ofthe NavalWar College. Command and Stall' Course. Newport. Rhode Island and also a graduate ol the Industrial College ofthe Armed Forces at Fort McNair. Washington. D.C. Commander Hansen is married to the lormer Sylvia Carolyn Claman ol Denver. Colorado. They have three sons: Gil. Jon and Erie.