David Ray (DD 971) - Naval Cruise Book

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WHO WAS DAVID R. RAY? HE MAN BEHIND THE SHIP On March 19, 1969, at Liberty Bridge, Northeast of 1 Has at Phu Loc, Battery D , where HM2 David R. ly was assigned, was attacked by Viet Cong soldiers. A mpany of enemy troops attacked the Marines with ingalore torpedoes, satchel charge, flame throwers and enades. Throughout the close quarters battle that last- through the night, HM2 Ray kept busy tending to the Dunds of injured Marines. Bobby Ray, as he was lown to friends and family, was interrupted while ban- iging a Marine when two enemy soldiers attacked his jsition. Bobby Ray killed one and wounded the other, (though wounded himself, he moved through enemy fire assist other Marines. He was wounded a second time, it he continued on. He had reached another wounded [arine when a grenade landed nearby. Weakened by a ss of blood, HM2 Ray barely managed to cover the Ma- nes body with his own. The explosion killed Bobby Ray, at the Marine lived. David R. Ray was born February 14, 1945, in the iwn of McMinnville, Tennessee. He was active in the oy Scouts and played trombone in his high school band, e was vice president of his senior class. In 1963 he won Diversity of Tennessee Alumni Scholarship. In his third jar he decided to enlist in the Navy and opted to attend le United States Hospital School in San Diego. His first )mmand was the USS HAVEN, followed by Naval Hos- ital. Long Beach, Ca. It was there that he volunteered ) serve with the Marines. His mother, Donnie Ray, speaks of him as active, loughtful, caring and sometimes mischievous in his Duth. He never complained when he was hurt, even when e was little. His mom feels that he was afraid of nothing nd ready for anything. Bobby Ray had told his mother lat the reason he joined the Corps was because many len had gotten The Medal, but most had died. On April 0, 1970, the Congressional Medal of Honor was posthu- lously awarded to David R. Ray by Vice President Spiro ,gnew. The citation read in part For conspicuous gal- mtry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and be- ond the call of duty while ser ving as a corpsman. Petty Officer Ray served to inspire the men of Bat- fry D to heroic efforts in defeating the enemy. In the words of Major Wayne A. Babb, commander f Battery F and D, he died living the Marine Corp mot- D . . . ' Semper Fidelis ' . . . always faithful. Whether he led a Marine or a sailor, he died not to be forgotten, but 3 be honored and respected by all. David R. Ray At Home 1