Ron Gray's DFM
Title
Ron Gray's DFM
Description
Don's medal with a letter from the King, an extract from the London Gazette and a brief description on his award.
Temporal Coverage
Spatial Coverage
Language
Format
Two typewritten sheets and a medal
Conforms To
Publisher
Rights
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
Identifier
MGrayDA1006912-210610-13
Transcription
[Royal crest]
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
I greatly regret that I am unable to give you personally the award which you have so well earned.
I now send it to you with my congratulations and my best wishes for your future happiness.
George R.I.
Flight Sergeant Donald A. Gray, D.F.M.
[page break]
[Distinguished Flying Medal]
[page break]
[underlined] EXTRACT FROM LONDON GAZETTE DATED 8th DECEMBER 1944 [/underlined]
The King has been graciously pleased to approve the following award in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations:
[underlined] Distinguished Flying Medal [/underlined]
[underlined] 1005912 Flight Sergeant Donald Arthur GRAY, RAFVR No 460 (RAAF) Squadron [/underlined]
This airman is an excellent flight engineer. He has participated in many sorties to heavily defended targets, including attacks against Cologne, Essen, Karlsruhe and Stuttgart. At all times he has displayed a marked keenness to participate in any operation, while his consistent courage, technical skill and strong tenacity of purpose have set a high example to all. On one occasion in April, 1944, Flight Sergeant Gray’s aircraft was detailed for an attack against Frederichshafen. It was hit by anti-aircraft fire on the way to the target and he was wounded in the right arm. Although suffering great pain, he continued at his post and enabled his crew to attack this vital target. Only when his aircraft had returned to this country did he inform his captain of his wound.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
I greatly regret that I am unable to give you personally the award which you have so well earned.
I now send it to you with my congratulations and my best wishes for your future happiness.
George R.I.
Flight Sergeant Donald A. Gray, D.F.M.
[page break]
[Distinguished Flying Medal]
[page break]
[underlined] EXTRACT FROM LONDON GAZETTE DATED 8th DECEMBER 1944 [/underlined]
The King has been graciously pleased to approve the following award in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations:
[underlined] Distinguished Flying Medal [/underlined]
[underlined] 1005912 Flight Sergeant Donald Arthur GRAY, RAFVR No 460 (RAAF) Squadron [/underlined]
This airman is an excellent flight engineer. He has participated in many sorties to heavily defended targets, including attacks against Cologne, Essen, Karlsruhe and Stuttgart. At all times he has displayed a marked keenness to participate in any operation, while his consistent courage, technical skill and strong tenacity of purpose have set a high example to all. On one occasion in April, 1944, Flight Sergeant Gray’s aircraft was detailed for an attack against Frederichshafen. It was hit by anti-aircraft fire on the way to the target and he was wounded in the right arm. Although suffering great pain, he continued at his post and enabled his crew to attack this vital target. Only when his aircraft had returned to this country did he inform his captain of his wound.
Collection
Citation
“Ron Gray's DFM,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed June 13, 2025, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/collections/document/40828.