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Ronald Eric Ray
Born December 7, 1941 (1941-12-07) (age 66)

Army Medal of Honor
Place of birth Cordelle, Georgia
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Captain
Unit 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Battles/wars Vietnam War
Awards Medal of Honor

Ronald Eric Ray (born December 7, 1941) is a former United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War. Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The State of Georgia ( is a state in the United States and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. The 35th Infantry Regiment served as part of the 25th Infantry (Lighting Division during the Korean War. In American military history the 25th Infantry Division (nicknamed "Tropic Lightning") is a large military unit associated with operations in the Asia-Pacific region The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia

Contents

Biography

Ray joined the Army from Atlanta, Georgia, and by June 19, 1966 was serving as a first lieutenant in Company A, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Events 1179 - The Norwegian Battle of Kalvskinnet outside Nidaros. Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. First Lieutenant is a Military rank. The rank of Lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations (see Comparative military ranks The 35th Infantry Regiment served as part of the 25th Infantry (Lighting Division during the Korean War. In American military history the 25th Infantry Division (nicknamed "Tropic Lightning") is a large military unit associated with operations in the Asia-Pacific region On that day, in the Ia Drang Valley of the Republic of Vietnam, Ray eliminated several enemy positions single-handedly and then shielded his men from an enemy-thrown grenade with his own body. The Ia Drang Valley is a valley located near Pleiku in Central Highlands of Vietnam. "RVN" redirects here RVN is also the former callsign of a TV station in Wagga Wagga New South Wales Australia He survived his wounds and was subsequently promoted to captain and awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

Medal of Honor citation

Captain Ray's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

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. A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or Squads and containing about 30 to 50 soldiers When 1 of his ambush patrols was attacked by an estimated reinforced Viet Cong company, Capt. An ambush is a long-established military tactic, in which the aggressors (the ambushing force use Concealment to attack a passing enemy A company is a Military unit, typically consisting of 75-200 Soldiers Most companies are formed of three to five Platoons although the exact number may vary 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. An automatic firearm is a Firearm that automatically extracts and ejects the fired cartridge case and loads a new case usually through the energy of the fired As medics were moving a casualty toward a sheltered position, they began receiving intense hostile fire. A combat medic is a trained Soldier or sailor who is responsible for providing First aid and frontline trauma care on the battlefield 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. For other uses of the phrase see Machine Gun (disambiguation. 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.

See also

References

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