Medal of Honor: Ronald Eric Ray – Vietnam War – June 19, 1966

Name: Ronald Eric Ray
Rank: Captain (then First Lieutenant)
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Company A, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Date of Action: June 19, 1966
Location: Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 19 June 1966, then-First Lieutenant Ronald Eric Ray displayed extraordinary heroism while serving as a platoon leader with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment in the Ia Drang Valley.

When one of his ambush patrols came under attack from an estimated reinforced Viet Cong company, Ray immediately organized a reaction force and rapidly advanced through two kilometers of rugged jungle terrain to relieve the trapped soldiers.

Fighting his way through hostile positions, he successfully broke through the enemy encirclement and reached the beleaguered patrol.

As he directed the reinforcement of the position, three of his men became pinned down by devastating automatic-weapons fire.

Without hesitation, Ray maneuvered into position and destroyed the enemy emplacement with a hand grenade before killing four Viet Cong soldiers with accurate rifle fire.

Moments later, enemy fire endangered medical personnel attempting to evacuate a wounded soldier.

While directing suppressive fire, Ray again moved within grenade range of the hostile position and silenced it, allowing the casualty evacuation to continue.

Shortly afterward, he spotted an enemy grenade that had landed unnoticed beside two of his soldiers.

Instinctively and without concern for his own safety, Ray threw himself between the grenade and his men, absorbing the blast and suffering painful wounds to his feet and legs.

Almost immediately afterward, he was struck again by enemy machine-gun fire, receiving additional wounds to his legs.

Despite his injuries, he refused to stop fighting.

Instead, he advanced once more and destroyed the hostile machine-gun position with another grenade.

Though in severe pain, Ray continued directing his platoon throughout the engagement, providing the leadership and courage that prevented the surrounded force from being overwhelmed.

Only after successfully leading his men out of immediate danger and ensuring their survival did he consent to evacuation for medical treatment.

Captain Ronald Eric Ray's extraordinary bravery, selfless leadership, and unwavering devotion to his soldiers reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

RAY, RONALD ERIC

Rank and organization: Captain (then First Lieutenant), U.S. Army, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.

Place and date: Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam, 19 June 1966.

Entered service at: Atlanta, Georgia.

Born: 7 December 1941, Cordele, Georgia.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Captain Ray distinguished himself while serving as a platoon leader with Company A. When one of his ambush patrols was attacked by an estimated reinforced Viet Cong company, Captain Ray organized a reaction force and quickly moved through two kilometers of mountainous jungle terrain to the contact area. After breaking through the hostile lines to reach the beleaguered patrol, Captain Ray began directing the reinforcement of the site. When an enemy position pinned down three of his men with a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire, he silenced the emplacement with a grenade and killed four Viet Cong with his rifle fire. As medics were moving a casualty toward a sheltered position, they began receiving intense hostile fire. While directing suppressive fire on the enemy position, Captain Ray moved close enough to silence the enemy with a grenade. A few moments later Captain Ray saw an enemy grenade land, unnoticed, near two of his men. Without hesitation or regard for his safety he dove between the grenade and the men, thus shielding them from the explosion while receiving wounds in his exposed feet and legs. He immediately sustained additional wounds in his legs from an enemy machine gun, but nevertheless he silenced the emplacement with another grenade. Although suffering great pain from his wounds, Captain Ray continued to direct his men, providing the outstanding courage and leadership they vitally needed, and prevented their annihilation by successfully leading them from their surrounded position. Only after assuring that his platoon was no longer in immediate danger did he allow himself to be evacuated for medical treatment. By his gallantry at the risk of his life in the highest traditions of the military service, Captain Ray reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.