World War II Honoree

Lester Gray

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

St. Joseph, Missouri

Honored By

Lawrence L. Schuermann

Relationship

Friend of Family

JOINED THE NAVY ON MARCH 22, 1944. ATTENDED NAVAL TRAINING STATION, FARRAGUT, IDAHO FOR BASIC TRAINING. ASSIGNED TO THE NAVAL AMPHIBIOUS FORCES ON JULY 18, 1944 AND WAS A PLANK OWNER ON USS LCI(L)-651. PROCEEDED TO THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS AND SAW COMBAT DURING THE ASSAULTS OF IWO JIMA AND OKINAWA. ON APRIL 13, 1945, HE WAS WOUNDED IN ACTION BY FRIENDLY FIRE WHEN A LOW FLYING JAPANESE PLANE WAS SHOT AT BY ALL U.S. SHIPS. HE RECEIVED A PURPLE HEART MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 1 STAR, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, AND COMBAT ACTION RIBBON. HONORABLE DISCHARGE AS A STOREKEEPER 2ND CLASS PETTY OFFICER ON MARCH 21, 1946.