>From the “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,” 

(1968) Vol. 3, pp.537-538.





JOHN P. GRAY





	John Porter Gray was born in Kansas City, Mo., 22 

December 1914, and enlisted in the Naval Reserve 12 October 

1939.  He was appointed Aviation Cadet in 1940 and 

underwent flight training.  After commissioning, Gray 

served at several air stations, reporting to Torpedo 

Squadron 2 in October 1940.  Later transferred for 

temporary duty to Torpedo Squadron 8 in aircraft carrier 

HORNET (CV-8), he took part in the pivotal Battle of Midway 

4-6 June 1942.  Gray and his companions gallantly attacked 

the Japanese ships without fighter cover and in the face of 

withering anti-aircraft fire.  Though all were shot down, 

they succeeded in diverting enemy air cover and preventing 

further launches, thus contributing mightily to America’s 

victory in the battle.  Lt. (j.g.) Gray was killed 4 June 

during the attack.  He was awarded the Navy Cross 

posthumously for his heroism, and shared in the 

Presidential Unit Citation awarded to Torpedo Squadron 

Eight for the Battle of Midway.





APD-74

Displacement:  1,390 t.

Length:  306’

Beam:  37’

Draft:  12’7”

Speed:  24 k.

Complement:  204

Armament:  1 5”; 6 40mm; 6 20mm;

	2 depth charge tracks;

Class:  CROSLEY



	JOHN P. GRAY (APD-74) was laid down as DE-673 by Dravo 

Corp., Pittsburgh, Pa., 18 December 1943; launched 18 March 

1944; sponsored by Mrs. Roy C. Gray, mother of Lt. (j.g.) 

Gray; towed down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to be 

completed at Consolidated Shipbuilding Co., Orange, Tex.; 

and reclassified APD-74 on 27 June 1944.  She commissioned 

there 15 March 1945, Lt. Comdr. W. E. Sims in command.



	Following shakedown cruise to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 

during April and May, the ship arrived New London, Conn., 1 

June, to escort Italian submarine RIS MAMELI to Guantanamo 

Bay.  From there, JOHN P. GRAY proceeded via the Canal Zone 

to San Diego, arriving 19 June.  She steamed to Pearl Harbor 

2 days later, and spent July training underwater demolition 

teams on the island of Maui.  In August, she returned 

briefly to California to embark a UDT unit for duty; and, 

after a stopover in Hawaii, she arrived Eniwetok 30 August.



	The war over, JOHN P. GRAY arrived Jinsen, Korea, 8 

September to take part in occupation operations.  Departing 

14 September, the ship steamed via Guam and Eniwetok to 

Pearl Harbor, and was attached to “Magic Carpet,” the giant 

operation undertaken to return to the United States the 

thousands of Pacific veterans.  She made two voyages between 

Hawaii and San Diego, then departed 30 November for Norfolk, 

JOHN P. GRAY arrived Hampton Roads 13 December, and moved to 

Green Cove Springs, Fla., 25 January 1946.  She 

decommissioned 29 April 1946 and entered the Atlantic 

Reserve Fleet.  The ship berthed with the Texas group until 

struck from the Navy List 1 March 1967.



	[JOHN P. GRAY was sold on 3 September 1968.



K. Jack Bauer and Stephen S. Roberts, “Register of Ships of 

the U. S. Navy, 1775-1990,” p.231.]





Transcribed by Michael Hansen

mhansen2@home.com