David Ray (DD 971) - Naval Cruise Book

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The Spruance Program Pascagoula, Mississippi Constructing and Commissioning RAY Christening: Mrs. Donnie Ray tin

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HM2 David Robert Ray USS DAVID R. RAY (DD-971), is named in honor of the late Hospital Corps man Second Class David Robert Ray. The son of Mr. and Mrs. David Ray, he was born on 14 February 1945, in McMinnville, Tennessee. He graduated from City High School in McMinnville in 1963. David Ray was a 1963 University of Tennessee alumni scholarship winner and attended the university ' s Knoxville campus from 1963 to 1966. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy at Nashville, Tennessee, on 28 March 1966 and subsequently reported to Recruit Training Command, Naval Training Center, San Diego, for recruit training. From June to October 1966, he attended the Naval Hospital Corps School, San Diego, after which he was assigned to the Naval Hospital in the USS HAVEN (AH-12). Following his tour in the hospital ship, David Ray next served at the Naval Hospital, Long Beach, California. In May, 1969, he requested a tour of duty with the Marines. He reported for instruction at the Field Medical Service School, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California, and in July he joined the Second Battalion, Eleventh Marine, First Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force. David R. Ray was serving as a corpsman with the battalion when he was mortally wounded on 19 March 1969, while treating wounded Marines. For conspicious gallantry at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty . . . near An Hoa, Quang Nam Province, in the Republic of Vietnam ... David Robert Ray was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. In addition to the Purple Heart Medal which was awarded for wounds received in action, he also had the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. History of the USS DAVID R. RAY The USS DAVID R. RAY joined the fleet in a commissioning ceremony on the 19th of November 1977 at Ingalls Shipbuilding Division, Pascagoula, Mississippi. The principal speaker was the honorable James R. Sasser, United States Senator from David R. Ray ' s home state of Tennessee. Other participants included Mrs. Donnie M. Ray, David R. Ray ' s mother and the ship ' s sponsor; Vice Admiral James B. Wilson, USN, Chief of Naval Education and Training; and Captain David Turner, USMC, Ray ' s former executive officer. On Monday, 21 November 1977, the ship was underway for San Diego, arriving on 5 December. Following the Christmas leave period the ship underwent numerous equipment checkouts, sea trials, and shakedown training. The RAY returned to Ingalls for a five week shipyard period after this period ' s completion. On the return transit, the ship ventured south and crossed the equator. Two-hundred Polywogs were initiated by fifty-five Shellbacks in an early morning ceremony. The ship commenced a six month shipyard period in May of 1978 at Long Beach Naval Shipyard and during this time, main reduction gear 1 was changed out and the NATO Seasparrow Missile System, Harpoon Weapon System, Electronic Warfare Systems, Sonar Wide-Band Element Modification, and helicopter facilities modifications were installed. The ship successfully completed the propulsion plant light-off examination at the completion of this period. The USS DAVID R. RAY began 1979 in San Diego preparing for the Operational Propulsion Plant Examination scheduled for April. During the week of 19 February, the RAYscored a direct hit with a NATO Seasparrow against a supersonic drone while conducting system qualification trials. During the ensuing months, the ship underwent numerous inspections in preparation for the upcoming deployment. RAY set sail for its first Western Pacific deployment on September 8th. During a brief stop in Hawaii, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) 37 Detachment 6 embarked for the seven month deployment. Enroute to the South China Sea, the ship made stops in Midway and Guam. After visits to Yokosuka, Japan and Inchon, South Korea, the RAY arrived in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. On November 22nd, the ship sailed for the Indian Ocean in response to the Iranian Hostage Crisis where she spend 58 consecutive days underway. Following a tender availability at Diego Garcia, where faulty main engine was replaced and a three day port visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka, the RAY then returned to Subic Bay. Crewmembers spent five days in Hong Kong during early March before heading home. The RAY completed its first deployment on March 29th, 1980.

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Commander Edward B. Baker Commanding Officer Lt. Commander William Rogers Executive Officer Pre-Commissioning Days