Service Member John W. Ray — Kiss Country Salute

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On a land unknown to this young man he served his country well. On the 21st October 1944 on the Island of Leyte in Company G, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Division (aka the Victory Division) Private Ray held a position with his platoon beside the Palo-Tacloban highway when a battalion of Japanese, launching a furious assault supported by machine guns, etc, soon enveloped both flanks of the platoon and several other men, the enemy launched an exceptionally violent assault in the first light of dawn and infiltrated between the foxholes to the rear and flanks. As the few men remaining were ordered to withdraw in small groups, Private Ray remained in his foxhole and covered their movements with deadly rifle fire. After all had withdrawn, though seriously wounded, he protected the withdrawal of this lone companion and then followed him through heavy enemy fire. When he saw a casualty lying on the ground, he returned with his companion and carried the wounded man 50 yards to the rear. Then sighting an enemy machine gunner and a sniper about to fire upon them from a nearby tree, he instantly turned his rifle upon them; but finding it jammed, seized his companion's weapon, killed both of the enemy, and prevented almost certain destruction of the remaining men who were moving to the rear. While his comrade stood guard in the exposed area, he administered first aid to the wounded man who was too critically injured to be moved and then concealed him with grass and weeds. Although suffering from his painful wound, he again covered his companions withdrawal before he returned to the company lines. Despite fatigue and shock, he gallantly insisted on guiding a platoon back after the wounded man. Later 195 enemy dead were found in the vicinity of the foxhole which he and his comrades had manned. Through his inspiring courage, determined and tenacious fighting spirit, and devotion to duty, Private Ray contributed materially to repulsing a most serous enemy threat and did much to insure our initial successes during the vitally important Leyte operation. This man, my Hero & Daddy, received the Distinguished Service Cross. Daddy is no longer here but his story will live on. --Sheila Harrison

Thank you, Sheila Harrison, for sharing this story about your father, John W. Ray, with us!

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