Orders, Decorations and Medals

Silver Star and Purple Heart pair to Sergeant L. T. Gray, 24th Division, killed in action, Korea, 20 July 1950

U.S.A., Silver Star, reverse machine engraved, ‘Lemuel T Gray’, slot brooch; Purple Heart, reverse machine engraved, ‘Lemuel T. Gray’, slot brooch, very fine (2) £200-240

With note stating Sergeant Lemuel T. Gray, 24th Division, was awarded the Silver Star in the 24th Division’s G.O. 173 of 1950, and was killed on 20 July 1950.

‘The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Lemuel T. Gray (ASN: RA-14229196), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery A, 11th Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Taejon, Korea, on 20 July 1950. During the defense of the city the numerically superior enemy had infiltrated the battalion's positions and drove friendly forces from their guns. Sergeant Gray, accompanied by several others, returned to the position to retrieve the howitzers that had been left behind. With utter disregard for his personal safety and under intense artillery, mortar, and small arms fire, he attempted to retrieve the guns. In this heroic action, Sergeant Gray was killed. His gallant actions reflect the greatest credit on himself and the United States Artillery.’

General Orders: Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 173 (October 12, 1950).

Lemeul Taylor Gray was born in Dade, Florida17 May 1928 and lived in Leasburg Road, Roxboro, North Carolina. He entered the Army on 24 July 1946 with number RA14 229 196 into , C Battery, 10th Field Artillery, and after a period of time transferred as a Field Artillery Cannoneer to A Battery, 11th Field Artillery, this unit was part of the 24th Infantry Division, which was one of the first American Units into Korea. On 20 July after a gallant stand in which it inflicted heavy casualties on the attacking enemy, A Battery was overrun and all six howitzers were destroyed, it was on this day Sergeant Gray was killed in action and awarded the Silver Star for immediate gallantry and the Purple Heart.

With Silver Star riband and lapel bars and Purple Heart lapel bar. With some copied research.