Name: Ray McKibben
Rank: Sergeant
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Troop B, 7th Squadron (Airmobile), 17th Cavalry
Place and Date: Near Song Mao, Republic of Vietnam – 8 December 1968
Entered Service At: Atlanta, Georgia
Born: October 27, 1945 – Felton, Georgia
Departed: December 8, 1968 (Killed in Action)
Accredited To: Georgia
Summary of Action
On December 8, 1968, Sergeant Ray McKibben was leading the point element of a reconnaissance patrol operating deep in enemy territory near Song Mao. Moving along a well-used trail, the patrol was suddenly hit by devastating automatic weapons fire from a concealed, fortified bunker. The lead element was forced to ground.
McKibben acted instantly. Charging through bamboo and thick brush, he rushed the bunker alone, killed the gunner, seized the enemy weapon, and used it to cover his men as he directed them forward.
Moments later, he detected enemy movement along the flank—signaling an attempt to envelop the patrol. He called for helicopter gunship support, which suppressed the threat. The patrol continued, but soon rounded a bend in a river and was hit again by heavy, accurate fire from multiple camouflaged bunkers.
As he deployed his men into cover, McKibben saw a soldier fall wounded in the open. With bullets raking the ground around them, he sprinted to the man, dragged him behind a rock, and administered hasty first aid despite the ongoing fire.
Realizing his patrol was pinned and unable to maneuver, McKibben undertook a second solo assault. Charging forward through dense brush and a torrent of automatic fire, he stormed the first bunker, killed its defenders with precise rifle fire, and seized another enemy weapon. Without pausing, he advanced on the next bunker, firing as he ran. When his rifle ran empty, he used the captured weapon until it, too, ran dry—then silenced the bunker with well-placed grenades.
McKibben reloaded and covered the advance of his men, enabling them to regain momentum. But another bunker further ahead continued to block the patrol's movement. Without hesitation, he launched a third single-handed assault. As he closed on the position, enemy fire struck him mortally. Summoning his remaining strength, McKibben fired a final burst that killed the bunker’s defenders and opened the path for his unit.
His actions broke the enemy line, saved trapped soldiers, and allowed the mission to continue.
Medal of Honor Citation
McKIBBEN, RAY
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Troop B, 7th Squadron (Airmobile), 17th Cavalry.
Place and date: Near Song Mao, Republic of Vietnam, 8 December 1968.
Entered service at: Atlanta, Ga.
Born: 27 October 1945, Felton, Ga.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, Sgt. McKibben distinguished himself in action while serving as team leader of the point element of a reconnaissance patrol of Troop B, operating in enemy territory. Sgt. 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. Sgt. 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, Sgt. 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 Sgt. 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, Sgt. 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. Sgt. 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, Sgt. 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. Sgt. 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. Sgt. 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 U.S. Army.
Name: Ray McKibben
