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Archiver > RHEA > 1998-03 > 0891321275


From: Carole <>
Subject: [RHEA-L] USS David R. Ray
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 21:14:35 -0800


Hi Everyone,
I ran across this site while searching for a ship my son was on. It
may not help anyone, but never hurts to try. Carole

You can find this site at:
http://www.surfpac.navy.mil/drr/index.html

HM2 DAVID R RAY BIOGRAPHY

Hospital Corpsman Second Class David Robert Ray was born on 14 February
1945 to David F.
and Donnie M. Ray of McMinnville, Tennessee. He graduated from City High
School in
McMinnville in 1963. David Ray was a University of Tennessee alumni
scholarship winner and
attended classes at the Knoxville campus from 1963 to 1966. He enlisted
in the U.S. Navy in
Nashville, Tennessee, on 28 March 1966 and reported to Recruit Training
Command, Naval
Training Center, San Diego. His first assignment was to the Naval
Hospital aboard USS Haven
(AH 12). Following his tour on the hospital ship, David Ray served at
the Naval Hospital Long
Beach, California.

In May 1968 David Ray requested a tour of duty with the Marines. In July
he joined the Second
Battalion, Eleventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet
Marine Force.

While treating wounded Marines in the field, David Ray was mortally
wounded on 19 March 1969.
He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. David Ray was also
awarded the Purple
Heart Medal for wounds received in action, and he had the Combat Action
Ribbon, National
Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with star and the Republic of
Vietnam Campaign Medal.

MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty
while serving as a corpsman with Battery D, Second Battalion, Eleventh
Marines, First Marine
Division... in the Republic of Vietnam, on 19 March 1969. During the
early morning hours, an
estimated battalion-sized enemy force launched a determined assault
against the Battery's position...
Undaunted by the intense hostile fire, Petty Officer Ray moved from
parapet to parapet, rendering
emergency medical treatment to the wounded. Although seriously wounded
himself while
administering first aid to a Marine casualty, he refused medical aid and
continued his lifesaving
efforts. While he was bandaging and attempting to comfort another
wounded Marine, Petty Officer
Ray was forced to battle two enemy soldiers who attacked his position,
personally killing one and
wounding the other. Rapidly losing his strength as a result of his own
severe wounds, he nonetheless
managed to move through the hail of enemy fire to other casualties. Once
again, he was faced with
the intense fire of oncoming enemy troops and, despite the grave
personal danger and
insurmountable odds, succeeded in treating the wounded and holding off
the enemy until he ran out
of ammunition, at which time he sustained fatal wounds. Petty Officer
Ray's final act of heroism was
to protect the patient he was treating. He threw himself upon the
wounded Marine, thus saving the
man's life when an enemy grenade exploded nearby. By his determined and
persevering actions,
courageous spirit and selfless devotion to the welfare of his Marine
comrades, Petty Officer Ray
served to inspire the men of Battery D to heroic efforts in defeating
the enemy. His conduct
throughout was in keeping with the finest traditions of the United
States Naval Service."

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