Rank and organization: Captain
(then 1st Lt.), U.S. Army, Company A, 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry, 25th
Infantry Division.
Place and date: la Drang
Valley, Republic of Vietnam, 19 June 1966.
Entered service at: Atlanta,
Ga.
Born: 7 December 1941,
Cordelle, Ga.
Citation: For conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty. Capt. Ray distinguished himself while serving
as a platoon leader with Company A. When 1 of his ambush patrols was
attacked by an estimated reinforced Viet Cong company, Capt. Ray
organized a reaction force and quickly moved through 2 kilometers of
mountainous jungle terrain to the contact area. After breaking through
the hostile lines to reach the beleaguered patrol, Capt. Ray began
directing the reinforcement of the site. When an enemy position pinned
down 3 of his men with a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire, he
silenced the emplacement with a grenade and killed 4 Viet Cong with his
rifle fire. As medics were moving a casualty toward a sheltered
position, they began receiving intense hostile fire. While directing
suppressive fire on the enemy position, Capt. Ray moved close enough to
silence the enemy with a grenade. A few moments later Capt. Ray saw an
enemy grenade land, unnoticed, near 2 of his men. Without hesitation or
regard for his safety he dove between the grenade and the men, thus
shielding them from the explosion while receiving wounds in his exposed
feet and legs. He immediately sustained additional wounds in his legs
from an enemy machinegun, but nevertheless he silenced the emplacement
with another grenade. Although suffering great pain from his wounds,
Capt. Ray continued to direct his men, providing the outstanding courage
and leadership they vitally needed, and prevented their annihilation by
successfully leading them from their surrounded position. Only after
assuring that his platoon was no longer in immediate danger did he allow
himself to be evacuated for medical treatment. By his gallantry at the
risk of his life in the highest traditions of the military service,
Capt. Ray has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S.
Army .