Clayton Kelly Gross

Clayton Kelly Gross (November 30, 1920-January 10, 2016) from Walla Walla, Washington[1] was a Army Air Forces World War II Ace who shot down 6 enemy planes over Europe.[2] Gross also flew planes in the D-Day invasion of Normany, France both on June 5 and 6, 1944.[3] He was a recipient of the American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal,[4] the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Silver Star. He flew in 105 combat missions during WWII.[5]

Clayton Kelly Gross
Clayton Kelly Gross 1944 in his P-51 "Live Bait"
Birth nameClayton Kelly Gross
Nickname(s)Kelly
Born(1920-11-30)November 30, 1920
Walla Walla, Washington
DiedJanuary 10, 2016(2016-01-10) (aged 95)
Sparks, Nevada
Allegiance United States
Service/branchArmy Air Forces Corps
Years of service1941-1945
RankCaptain
Unit354th Fighter Group
Battles/warsD-Day
Awards
RelationsWife: Ramona

Education

Career
Photo of a WWII P-51 from the 354th Fighter Group

In 1941, Clayton Kelly Gross was a 20-year-old aviation cadet with the Army Air Forces. He received his commission and the rank of second lieutenant in September 1942.[5]

In 1943 Gross was assigned to the 354th Fighter Group and began flying P-51 Mustangs.[5] from Britain. He became an ace with six confirmed aerial kills, including a jet-powered Me 262.[3]

D-Day
US glider reinforcements arrive on D-Day 1944

On the night of June 5, 1944: the night before the D-Day Invasion of France, Gross participated in a secret mission escorting gliders behind enemy lines at Normandy, France.[3] On June 6, 1944, the date of D-Day, Gross flew a P-51 Mustang he named “Live Bait,”. His superior told him to fly low and attract enemy fire. Gross joked that he would be live bait.[3]

In 1944 Gross was on a bombing mission over Berlin when he engaged Bf 109. An allied P-47 Accidentally shot Gross's P-51 and the 50 caliber bullet pushed the back of the cockpit into Gross's head. He flew 105 combat missions.[5]

In 2006 he wrote and published his memoirs entitled: Live Bait: WWII Memoirs of an "Undefeated Fighter Ace".[3]

In 2014 Gross was one of a handful of Aces who attended a White House ceremony with President Barack Obama to sign the H.R. 685, the American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal Act, into law.[7][3]

Affiliations

Awards

Personal

Gross was born in Walla Walla, Washington, on Jan. 20, 1920, and he attended high school and was raised in Spokane, Washington. His first wife was named Gwendolyn Yeo, and together they had two children--a son, Mike; and a daughter, Mary.[1] After Gwen's death, Gross married Ramona Bettendorf. Gross was a career dentist in Vancouver, Washington.[3] He retired in 1998. He died in Sparks, Nevada, on Jan. 10, 2016.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Clayton Kelly Gross". Legacy.com. Legacy.com. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  2. Vogt, Tom (8 February 2016). "Off Beat: WWII pilot one of the faces of America's fighter aces". The Columbian. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  3. Vogt, Tom (4 June 2014). "WWII fighter ace from Vancouver honored". The Columbian. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  4. 113th Congress. "H.R.685 - American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal Act". Congress.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  5. "Ace Clayton Gross Recalls The Craziest Friendly Fire Story You've Ever Heard". World War Wings. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  6. Gross, Kelly (27 March 2006). Live Bait: WWII Memoirs of an "Undefeated Fighter Ace" (1st ed.). Portland Oregon: Inkwater Press. ISBN 978-1592991860.
  7. "American Fighter Aces to Hold 50th Reunion". Museum of Flight. The Museum of Flight. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  8. "Clayton Kelly Gross". Military Times. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved 24 July 2020.

Bibliography
  • Gross, Kelly (2006). Live Bait: WWII Memoirs of an "Undefeated Fighter Ace". Fallbrook, California: Inkwater Press. ISBN 978-1592991860.

Further reading
  • Hammel, Eric (2010) [1992]. Aces Against Japan. New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 9781890988081.
  • Hammel, Eric (1998). Aces in Combat: The American Aces Speak. Vol. 5. Pacifica, California: Pacifica Military History. ISBN 0935553614.
  • Tillman, Barrett (1996). Hellcat Aces of World War 2. London: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1855325969.
  • Tillman, Barrett (1979). Hellcat: The F6F in World War II (1st ed.). Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1557509918.

Notes
  1. "Silver Star for gallantry in action against the enemy as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot of the 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army Air Forces."[8]
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