Courtesy Photo | Master Chief Intelligence Specialist John Gray, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command...... read more read more
Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va. – Master Chief Intelligence Specialist John Gray, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command force intelligence master chief, was awarded the 2024 Rear Adm. Edwin T. Layton Leadership and Mentorship Award, Nov. 15 at NECC Headquarters.
This prestigious award recognizes exceptional leadership and mentorship from mid-to-senior active or reserve intelligence officers, chief warrant officers, and mid-to-senior enlisted personnel operating in the intelligence community. The Director of Naval Intelligence established the award in 2001 and named it in honor of Rear Adm. Edwin T. Layton, a renowned naval intelligence officer.
“As a senior enlisted Sailor, any award I receive isn't based on my individual accomplishments, it’s based on our rock star Sailors across the Navy expeditionary combat force doing extraordinary things, and this award allows me to tell their story,” said Gray.
While at NECC, Gray formalized the Cmdr. John “Jack” Graf Excellence in Expeditionary Warfare Intelligence Award. The award is named after Cmdr. Graf, a naval intelligence officer who was killed while trying to escape captors in Vietnam in 1970. It is now awarded to Sailors of the year operating under the NECC umbrella who have demonstrated personal and professional dedication to the Navy and expeditionary intelligence operations.
Gray also developed an interagency working group in support of Operation High Altitude Balloon Recovery. Under the direction of the Commander-in-Chief, a U.S. fighter aircraft engaged and brought down a high-altitude balloon within sovereign airspace and over U.S. territorial waters. Gray’s contribution provided critical intelligence and procedural safeguards to ensure diver safety and preserve balloon materiel. This operation was one of many instances that set Gray apart as a maven within intelligence community.
Additionally, Gray spearheaded the development and model management of multiple force-wide personnel qualification standards for over 500 information warfare professionals throughout the force.
Gray’s induction as an awardee of the Edwin T. Layton Leadership and Mentorship Award places him in the company of many other exemplary leaders in the naval intelligence community.
“Master Chief Gray is a natural leader and his impact to the command has been unparalleled,” said Capt. Melissa Mecca, assistant chief of staff for intelligence, NECC. “Master Chief Gray consistently seeks out high visibility roles to improve the Navy’s intelligence rating and it is evident through his leadership and participation in rating councils, advisory groups, training and course reviews, he is most deserving of this award.”
Even after two decades of service to the intelligence community, Gray says he remains committed to inspiring future intelligence leaders and attributes his success to the Sailors that he has led.
“Being an intelligence specialist is the most amazing job in the Navy, period,” said Gray. “We have the ability to alter, influence and effect national decision-making, policy and operations and I hope that as I continue to move forward in my career, I can continue inspire others to look at everything through a warfighting lens, preparing themselves and our warfighters for strategic competition.”
About Rear Adm. Edwin T. Layton
Rear Admiral Edwin T. Layton was an intelligence officer during World War II, renowned for his expertise in deciphering Japanese military strategies. Early in his career, Layton was stationed in Tokyo, where he mastered the Japanese language and developed a deep understanding of the culture. This instrumental skill allowed him to predict Japanese military actions against the United States. One of Layton’s most significant achievements was serving as the principal intelligence officer for Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz. His analytical expertise played a critical role in the success of the Battle of Midway, where his precise assessments of the Japanese military’s air, sea, and ground capabilities were instrumental. In recognition of his exceptional work, Layton was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his contributions to the U.S. Navy. His timely and accurate findings through intelligence operations were a decisive factor in securing victory over Japan.
| Date Taken: | 12.20.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 01.13.2025 14:58 |
| Story ID: | 488231 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 151 |
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