On 7 August 1942, the 1st Parachute Battalion went ashore in landing craft on the island of Gavutu, Solomon Islands. The first wave, Company "A", reached shore unhindered but the Japanese defenders then opened heavy machinegun fire. Companies "B" (to which Bray was attached) and "C" came under heavy fire while still in the boats. The leading wave pushed forward and secured a small beachhead, but was pinned down by intense fire from prepared positions. Company "B" pushed toward the left to gain Hill 148, from which much of the enemy fire came, and took it by late afternoon. Bray attacked a fortified machinegun emplacement that blocked the Marines' advance. Charging alone, he moved through the opening of the position and engaged the Japanese in hand-to-hand combat. Other Marines rushed to support him and soon overcame the opposition. Bray, however, died as a result of a grenade explosion later that same day. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.