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Last update: 30 August 2024
Crew 03

Lieutenant Robert M. Gray

Pilot
- First name:
Robert
- Middle name:
Manning
- Last name:
Gray
- Nickname:
Bob
- Rank Doolittle raid:
Lieutenant
- Last rank:
Captain
- Service number:
0-403862
- Date of birth:
24 May 1919
- Place of birth:
Killeen, Texas
- Date of death:
18 October 1942
- Place of death:
Assum, India
- Place of the cemetery:
Killeen, Texas
- Name of the cemetery:
Killeen City Cemetery

Additional info

 

Coming soon:
Book published by Air World.
THE TOKYO SIXTEEN, Doolttle's Brave Pilots (working title) 
 cover op website
The book will contain 16 extensive biographies
of the 16 pilots involved in the daring Doolittle Raid during World War II.

Compiled by myself, the webmaster of this website.

Visit the pilot pages on this website for the latest updates regarding the publication of the book.  Or visit the Facebook page associated with this website on: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093570602530

The Tokyo Sixteen concludes with a poignant reflection on the enduring legacy of the pilots who took part in Doolittle's Raid. By delving into their personal stories and military careers, readers gain profound insights into the essence of heroism. This book serves as a tribute to their courage, determination, and significant impact on history. The stories not only captivate but also inspire, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit in the face of extreme adversity.

List of the 16 Pilots and Their Crews During the Doolittle Raid:

  1. Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle
  2. Lieutenant Travis Hoover
  3. Lieutenant Robert M. Gray
  4. Lieutenant Everett W. Holstrom
  5. Captain David M. Jones
  6. Lieutenant Dean E. Hallmark
  7. Lieutenant Ted W. Lawson
  8. Captain Edward J. York
  9. Lieutenant Harold F. Watson
  10. Lieutenant Richard O. Joyce
  11. Captain Charles R. Greening
  12. Lieutenant William M. Bower
  13. Lieutenant Edgar E. McElroy
  14. Major John A. Hilger
  15. Lieutenant Donald G. Smith
  16. Lieutenant William G. Farrow

These pilots embarked on a perilous mission, knowing they might not return to the USS Hornet. The B-25 bombers were loaded to capacity with fuel and bombs, making takeoff from the carrier exceptionally challenging. After the raid, many crews crash-landed in China or ditched their planes at sea. Some were captured by the Japanese, while others were aided by Chinese civilians. Despite these difficulties, the raid provided a significant morale boost for the United States and had a lasting impact on the Pacific War.

Tragically, four of the pilots did not survive the Second World War. Lieutenant Dean E. Hallmark (Crew 6) and Lieutenant William G. Farrow (Crew 16) were executed by the Japanese after capture. Lieutenant Robert M. Gray (Crew 3) and Lieutenant Donald G. Smith (Crew 15) perished in aircraft crashes during the war. These men’s sacrifices remain a powerful reminder of the cost of freedom and the daring actions taken during one of World War II's most audacious raids.

NARA and all other photos are also in the public domain. The photos obviously have copyright holders. I have permission to publish the photos, or I tried to contact the copyright holders for this. Please respect the copyright. Some AI generated pictures were used.
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Written and research by Geert Rottiers on .