THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Silver Star citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow soldiers. May you rest in eternal peace.

Second Lieutenant William Robert Bray, Served with the 2nd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

William Robert Bray

Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Army
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Battalion: 1st Battalion
Division: 4th Infantry Division
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 3518 (October 24, 1967)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) William Robert Bray (ASN: 0-5338215), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 9 October 1967, Second Lieutenant Bray distinguished himself while serving as a Platoon Leader in Company A, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, on a search and destroy operation near Phuoc Son. Second Lieutenant Bray was moving his platoon up the side of a mountain through heavy underbrush when it made contact with a force of the North Vietnamese Army using automatic weapons and began receiving a devastating volume of fire at close range. Second Lieutenant Bray immediately began to reorganize his platoon and to maneuver its elements against the enemy. Throughout the bitter fire fight that followed, he calmly radioed badly needed situation reports to the Company Commander. Fighting by the side of his men, he led them as much by personal example as by direct command. Second Lieutenant Bray personally eliminated three North Vietnamese soldiers and later silenced a group of them who were firing automatic rifles from a concealed position. In the latter instance he was moving to a position where he would have a better vantage of the battlefield. As he moved, both he and his radio-telephone operator received heavy fire from the group of enemy soldiers. Second Lieutenant Bray crawled toward their position and destroyed it with a hand grenade. He was moving toward a group of his men that were pinned down and in need of help when he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Second Lieutenant Bray's exceptional gallantry is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Dear Lt. Bray,
Thank you for your service as an Infantry Unit Commander. Independence Day is approaching, and it is important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Operation Wheeler was launched on September 11, 1967, under the control of the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. The operation was characterized by battalion size combat assaults of the high ground west of Tam Ky in Quang Nam province. These combat assaults were followed by search and destroy operations to find and destroy enemy forces, base camps, and fortifications. On October 9, 1967, 2nd Platoon from A Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, the "Cacti Green," was sent out to assault a hill. 2LT William R. Bray was part of one of the assaulting platoons. After engaging a large number of NVA and VC, his platoon were forced back down the hill. 2LT Bray received fatal wounds when the NVA pressed the attack down on the Americans. Almost two weeks later, on the night of October 22 1967, a few kilometers northeast, the battalion Recon Platoon ambushed and killed two NVA Officers—a Captain and a 1st Lieutenant. Among their possessions was the CAR-15 rifle formerly belonging to 2LT Bray. [From cacti35th.org and wikipedia.com]