THE WALL OF FACES

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

Sgt. First Class Ray Adam Archuletta, a native of Florence who was a decorated Vietnam War veteran and who died in that war, will be remembered with the dedication of memorial signs designating Colo. 115 near Florence in his honor.

Sergeant First Class Ray Adam Archuletta, Served with the 1st Platoon, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Ray was my mother’s true love and not my biological father the mat that I took his name and did my best to model myself after, you will never be forgotten
Love & Respect
Matthew

Ray Adam Archuletta

Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Army
Rank: Sergeant First Class
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Division: 101st Airborne Division
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, Americal Division, General Orders No. 894 (October 18, 1967)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Ray Adam Archuletta (ASN: RA-17404497), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force while serving with Company B, 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action on 7 September 1967 near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Archuletta distinguished himself as his platoon was moving a wounded man to a landing zone to be extracted when they were suddenly brought under a tremendous volume of enemy automatic weapons fire. Seeing his machinegunner wounded, Sergeant Archuletta ordered his evacuation while he rushed forward with complete disregard for his own safety and in spite of the enemy fire to provide covering fire. As the wounded man was too heavy to be carried by the medic, Sergeant Archuletta again moved through the fire and helped carry him to the safety of a nearby wood line position. Nearing the wood line, Sergeant Archuletta was seriously wounded and in one last valiant effort he ordered the medic to take the wounded man to safety as he stayed behind and expended his ammunition to provide the covering fire. The outstanding gallantry, devotion to his fellow soldier, and his intense dedication to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Archuletta were in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.