HM2 David R. (Bobby) Ray

[davblay]

I wanted to share this information with you Marines, it's about a young man from Yellowwing's hometown of McMinnville, Tennessee. He was just a simple country boy that wanted to help his Marinies under his charge while he was serving in the Nam in 1969. He died the day after I DEP'd in the Corps. It always inspires me to drive down Hwy 70 in McMinnville and see that sign, "DAVID R. RAY MEMORIAL BYPASS". Here is a copy of his citation:

David R. Ray was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. In addition to the Medal of Honor he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in action, as well as the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (with star) and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. His father was presented the Medal of Honor in a White House ceremony.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Hospital Corpsman Second Class, U.S. Navy, 2d Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF. Place and date: Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, 19 March 1969. Entered service at: Nashville, Tenn. Born: 14 February 1945, McMinnville, Tenn.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a HM2 with Battery D, 2d Battalion, at Phu Loc 6, near An Hoa. During the early morning hours, an estimated battalion-sized enemy force launched a determined assault against the battery's position, and succeeded in effecting a penetration of the barbed-wire perimeter. The initial burst of enemy fire caused numerous casualties among the marines who had immediately manned their howitzers during the rocket and mortar attack. Undaunted by the intense hostile fire, HM2 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, HM2 Ray was forced to battle 2 enemy soldiers who attacked his position, personally killing 1 and wounding the other. Rapidly losing his strength as a result of his 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. HM2 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, HM2 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 U.S. Naval Service.[1]
Vietnam wall

His name appears on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall at panel 29W, row 082.

Other honors

• USS David R. Ray (DD-971). Decommissioned in February of 2002 at Naval Station Everett, Washington
• David R. Ray Branch Medical Clinic, providing dental and medical care for beneficiaries in the Naval Station Everett area
• David R. Ray (Battery D 2nd Battalion 11th Marines 1969) Naval Branch Medical/Dental Clinic, Camp Pendleton, CA
• Ray Hall, Naval Medical and Dental Clinic, The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA
• Ray Hall, military housing hall, Camp Pendleton, CA - dedicated 22 June 1974
• Highway 70S Bypass in McMinnville, TN
• Bobby Ray Memorial Elementary School in McMinnville, TN.
• Ray Clinic/Ray immunizations, USA MEDDAC, Ft. Huachuca, AZ

Semper Fi Bobby, May you rest in peace!

Dave

[davblay]

[yellowwing]

Semper Fi Bobby Ray!

[CplRicket]

The local Marines are forming the Warren County Detachment of the Marine Corps League and we honor Bobby Ray on our website. If you have photos of time served with Bobby Ray let our webmaster know (webmaster@mcltn.org) so we can add to the memory of his service.

www.MCLTN.org

[doc h fmf]

Its Men Like Him That Made Me Proud To Be A Corpsman. I Tell The New Corpsmen To Never Tarnish Our Reputatation Because We Have A Proud Tradition To Keep And Its An Honor And A Privilege To Serve With Our Brothers The Marine Corps.

Semper Fi

Stephen Doc Hansen Hm 3 Fmf

[SGT7477]

Its Men Like Him That Made Me Proud To Be A Corpsman. I Tell The New Corpsmen To Never Tarnish Our Reputatation Because We Have A Proud Tradition To Keep And Its An Honor And A Privilege To Serve With Our Brothers The Marine Corps.

Semper Fi

Stephen Doc Hansen Hm 3 Fmf

, Semper Fidelis.