Charles Gossage Grey
Encyclopedia
Captain Charles Gossage Grey was a World War I flying ace
credited with five aerial victories.
Charles Gossage Grey was the son of Walter C. Grey.
He enlisted into the Lafayette Flying Corps
in July 1917. He was posted to Escadrille 93 from November 1917 to March 1918. He was then commissioned into U. S. service and assigned to the 213th Aero Squadron on 1 August 1918 as a Flight Commander. Between 2 September and 3 November 1918, he used his Spad XIII to score five aerial victories, becoming the squadron's only ace.
Grey died as the result of a hit-and-run accident.
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Charles Gossage Grey, Captain (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Montmedy, France, November 4, 1918. While leading a patrol of three machines, Captain Grey observed a formation of our bombing planes hard pressed by 12 of the enemy. He attacked the leading enemy machine without hesitation, thereby attracting the enemy's fire and allowing the bombing machines to escape undamaged. (General Orders No. 46, W.D., 1919)
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with five aerial victories.
Charles Gossage Grey was the son of Walter C. Grey.
He enlisted into the Lafayette Flying Corps
Lafayette Flying Corps
The Lafayette Flying Corps is a name used to describe the American volunteer pilots who flew for the French during World War I. It includes the pilots who flew with the bona fide Lafayette Escadrille squadron. The estimations of number of pilots range from 180 to over 300. The generally accepted...
in July 1917. He was posted to Escadrille 93 from November 1917 to March 1918. He was then commissioned into U. S. service and assigned to the 213th Aero Squadron on 1 August 1918 as a Flight Commander. Between 2 September and 3 November 1918, he used his Spad XIII to score five aerial victories, becoming the squadron's only ace.
Grey died as the result of a hit-and-run accident.
Honors and awards
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Charles Gossage Grey, Captain (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Montmedy, France, November 4, 1918. While leading a patrol of three machines, Captain Grey observed a formation of our bombing planes hard pressed by 12 of the enemy. He attacked the leading enemy machine without hesitation, thereby attracting the enemy's fire and allowing the bombing machines to escape undamaged. (General Orders No. 46, W.D., 1919)