THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Medal of Honor citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow soldiers. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Dear Sgt Ray McKibben, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman and for your Medal of Honor. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Time passes quickly, but our world needs help. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Combat in itself is not the measure of a man, but his loyalty to his comrades is. RIP

I was a young man but i remmber how happy you were. THANK YOU FOR BUYING ME A MOON PIE AND RC.

Ray McKibben
Date of birth: October 27, 1946
Date of death: December 8, 1968
Burial location: Felton, Georgia
Place of Birth: Georgia, Felton
Home of record: Atlanta Georgia
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Medal of Honor

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Sergeant Ray McKibben (ASN: 14831777), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as team leader of the point element of a reconnaissance patrol of Troop B, 7th Squadron (Airmobile), 17th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade, in action against enemy aggressor forces operating in enemy territory near Song Mao, Republic of Vietnam, on 8 December 1968. Sergeant McKibben was leading his point element in a movement to contact along a well-traveled trail when the lead element came under heavy automatic weapons fire from a fortified bunker position, forcing the patrol to take cover. Sergeant McKibben, appraising the situation and without regard for his own safety, charged through bamboo and heavy brush to the fortified position, killed the enemy gunner, secured the weapon and directed his patrol element forward. As the patrol moved out, Sergeant McKibben observed enemy movement to the flank of the patrol. Fire support from helicopter gunships was requested and the area was effectively neutralized. The patrol again continued its mission and as the lead element rounded the bend of a river it came under heavy automatic weapons fire from camouflaged bunkers. As Sergeant McKibben was deploying his men to covered positions, he observed one of his men fall wounded. Although bullets were hitting all around the wounded man, Sergeant McKibben, with complete disregard for his safety, sprang to his comrade's side and under heavy enemy fire pulled him to safety behind the cover of a rock emplacement where he administered hasty first aid. Sergeant McKibben, seeing that his comrades were pinned down and were unable to deliver effective fire against the enemy bunkers, again undertook a single-handed assault of the enemy defenses. He charged through the brush and hail of automatic weapons fire closing on the first bunker, killing the enemy with accurate rifle fire and securing the enemy's weapon. He continued his assault against the next bunker, firing his rifle as he charged. As he approached the second bunker his rifle ran out of ammunition; however, he used the captured enemy weapon until it too was empty, at that time he silenced the bunker with well placed hand grenades. He reloaded his weapon and covered the advance of his men as they moved forward. Observing the fire of another bunker impeding the patrol's advance, Sergeant McKibben again single-handedly assaulted the new position. As he neared the bunker he was mortally wounded but was able to fire a final burst from his weapon killing the enemy and enabling the patrol to continue the assault. Sergeant McKibben's indomitable courage, extraordinary heroism, profound concern for the welfare of his fellow soldiers and disregard for his personal safety saved the lives of his comrades and enabled the patrol to accomplish its mission. Sergeant McKibben's gallantry in action at the cost of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 21 (April 23, 1970)

Action Date: 8-Dec-68

Service: Army

Rank: Sergeant

Company: Troop B, 7th Squadron (Airmobile)

Regiment: 17th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade