Gordon "Gordo" Gray

BuNo 137820 Edwards AFB, CA 19 OCT 1955

On October 15, 1955, Pax River test pilot, LT Gordon L. "Gordo" Gray, set the world 500 KM closed-course speed record of 695.163 mph while flying A4D-1 Skyhawk, BuNo 137820. The circular course was at Edwards Air Force Base, Muroc CA.
LT Gray, a former student (JUL54 to FEB55) at the Naval Air Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, had recently (13AUG55 to 15AUG55) taken the A4D-1 through Carrier Quals aboard the U.S.S. Ticondaroga.

Captain Gray retired on 01JUL70 with 27.5 years of service. He had accumulated 4,550 hours of flight time, which included 1,900 jet hours and 575 carrier landings of which 200 were night traps. He was awarded five Air Medals, the U.N. Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with two stars, the China Service Medal, the Occupation Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon, the Victory Ribbon, and the Commendation Ribbon with Combat "V". "Gordo" passed away on December 2, 2007. He was member #77 in the Skyhawk Association.
Information and photos provided by Gordo's son, John Gray.