THE WALL OF FACES

HOSPITAL CORPSMAN SECOND CLASS


DAVID ROBERT RAY


UNITED STATES NAVY


served as a


MEDICAL CORPSMAN


with


DELTA COMPANY

BATTERY ' D '

2nd BATTALION

11th MARINES

1st MARINE DIVISION ( REINFORCED )

FLEET MARINE FORCE


and was a posthumous recipient of the


CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR


who rests in honored glory in


MOUNTAIN VIEW CEMETERY


McMINNVILLE, TENNESSEE



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CITATION

FOR AWARD OF THE

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR


PHU LOC 6

near AN HOA

QUANG NAM PROVINCE

REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

19 MARCH 1969



For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Hospital Corpsman
Second Class with Battery D, 2nd Battalion, at Phu Loc, near An Hoa.
During the early morning hours, an estimated battalion-size 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, Hospital Corpsman Second Class 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, Hospital Corpsman Second Class Ray was forced
to battle two enemy soldiers who attacked his position, personally killing
one 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 his 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. Hospital Corpsman Second Class 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,
Hospital Corpsman Second Class 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 United States Naval Service.



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The award of the


CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR


was presented to his family

on 20 April 1970

at

The White House

by the

Vice President of the United States of America

Spiro T. Agnew


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THE PROUD YOUNG VALOR THAT ROSE ABOVE THE MORTAL

AND THEN, AT LAST, WAS MORTAL AFTER ALL





YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE