Rank Flying Officer Died August 27, 1944 Battles/wars World War II Battles and wars World War II | Awards George Cross Name Cy Gray | |
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Service/branch Royal Canadian Air Force | ||
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Flying Officer Roderick Borden Gray, GC (1917–1944), known as Cy Gray, of the Royal Canadian Air Force was posthumously awarded the George Cross for his self-sacrifice in putting the lives of his comrades ahead of his own.
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After being shot down on over the Atlantic on August 27, 1944 by an enemy fighter, he helped two wounded crewmen into a dinghy but refused to climb aboard it himself, fearing it would capsize and imperil them all. Despite his own severe injuries he clung to the side of the dinghy instead, losing consciousness after several hours in the frigid water and drowning. His colleagues were eventually rescued and their account prompted the award. He was originally nominated for the Albert Medal. Notice of his award appeared in the London Gazette on March 13, 1945.
The 155 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron is named in his honour.