Kenneth W. Bray

LT (junior grade) Kenneth W. Bray was a graduate of the University of Colorado and the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received a commission as an Ensign in June 1950.  He began pre-flight training in August of 1950 at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida and later completed his advanced training at the Navy’s All-Weather Flight School in Corpus Christie, TX.  Earning his aviator wings in Pensacola in November 1952, he was later assigned to USS ORISKANY (CVA-34) attached to Fighter Squadron 191, flying a Grumman F9F-6 Cougar jet while ORISKANY was on her second cruise to the Far East in support of the Korean War truce.  The ship was patrolling the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea and the Philippines when the ship also played host to various Hollywood notables while filming "The Bridges at Toko-Ri."  In March 1954, the ship provided air support for a Marine Amphibious Assault exercise at Iwo Jima.  USS ORISKANY was launching F9F-6 type aircraft on the morning of 22 March 1954, including LT(jg) Bray’s, when an undetermined malfunction caused it to lose control and stall at a low altitude shortly after launch.  LT(jg) Bray bailed out, but at an insufficient altitude for his chute to open.  Despite the best efforts of the ship and crew as well as nearby USS ANDERSON (DD 786) his body was never recovered and was presumed lost at sea.