Medal of Honor: Raymond R. Wright – Vietnam War – May 2, 1967

Name: Raymond R. Wright
Rank: Specialist Fourth Class
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Company A, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division
Date of Action: May 2, 1967
Location: Ap Bac Zone, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 2 May 1967, Specialist Fourth Class Raymond R. Wright distinguished himself during a combat patrol in the Ap Bac Zone of Vietnam.

Moving through an area where an ambush had occurred earlier, his unit was suddenly hit by intense automatic weapons and small-arms fire from a fortified enemy bunker system supported by snipers hidden in nearby trees.

The platoon was pinned down.

Movement meant exposure.

Exposure meant death.

Wright didn’t wait.

Alongside another soldier, he leapt onto a dike—fully exposed to the enemy—and launched a direct assault.

Armed with a rifle and grenades, he charged the first bunker through a hail of fire and threw a grenade inside, killing its occupant.

Without slowing, the two men pushed forward.

To the second bunker.

Wright sprinted through the fire again, closing the distance and destroying it with another grenade.

A third bunker—housing an automatic rifleman—had much of the platoon pinned.

Again, Wright charged.

Again, he killed the enemy inside.

Still under constant sniper fire, the two soldiers pressed the attack, clearing four more bunkers in rapid succession.

The assault didn’t stop at the bunker line.

They pushed into the treeline.

Snipers broke and fled.

Wright and his comrade pursued them, driving the enemy from the area and opening the ground for the rest of the platoon to advance without further loss.

Only when his ammunition was completely exhausted did Wright return to his unit.

He immediately shifted from combat to care—helping evacuate the wounded.

In a matter of moments, a two-man assault had shattered a well-prepared enemy position, inflicted heavy losses, and saved countless American lives.

His courage, aggression, and refusal to yield in the face of overwhelming fire reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

WRIGHT, RAYMOND R.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While serving as a rifleman with Company A, Sp4c. Wright distinguished himself during a combat patrol in an area where an enemy ambush had occurred earlier. Sp4c. Wright’s unit suddenly came under intense automatic weapons and small-arms fire from an enemy bunker system protected by numerous snipers in nearby trees. Despite the heavy enemy fire, Sp4c. Wright and another soldier leaped to the top of a dike to assault the position. Armed with a rifle and several grenades, he and his comrade exposed themselves to intense fire from the bunkers as they charged the nearest one. Sp4c. Wright raced to the bunker, threw in a grenade, killing its occupant. The 2 soldiers then ran through a hail of fire to the second bunker. While his comrade covered him with his machinegun, Sp4c. Wright charged the bunker and succeeded in killing its occupant with a grenade. A third bunker contained an automatic rifleman who had pinned down much of the friendly platoon. While his comrade again covered him with machinegun fire, Sp4c. Wright charged in and killed the enemy rifleman with a grenade. The 2 soldiers worked their way through the remaining bunkers, knocking out 4 of them. Throughout their furious assault, Sp4c. Wright and his comrade had been almost continuously exposed to intense sniper fire from the treeline as the enemy desperately sought to stop their attack. Overcoming stubborn resistance from the bunker system, the men advanced into the treeline forcing the snipers to retreat, giving immediate chase, and driving the enemy away from the friendly unit so that it advanced across the open area without further casualty. When his ammunition was exhausted, Sp4c. Wright returned to his unit to assist in the evacuation of the wounded. This 2-man assault had driven an enemy platoon from a well prepared position, accounted for numerous enemy casualties, and averted further friendly casualties. Sp4c. Wright’s extraordinary heroism, courage, and indomitable fighting spirit saved the lives of many of his comrades and inflicted serious damage on the enemy. His acts were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.