Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Technical Sergeant

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    148th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    37th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 16, 1945

    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 125 (May 31, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Technical Sergeant Raymond C. Wren, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 16 February 1945. During heavy fighting in South Manila, Technical Sergeant Wren’s platoon entered a shell-torn building on Raura Street. A civilian reported an unknown number of Japanese in the basement of the structure. There was only one approach to the basement hideout_a hole in the floor above, just large enough to admit one man. Technical Sergeant Wren immediately volunteered to drop through the hole and engage the enemy. He did not know the length of the drop, so, to ease the shot he first dropped a mattress through the hold. Then, armed only with a carbine, he jumped into the darkness below. As he landed on the mattress and peered into the gloom, he perceived the outline of a Japanese soldier in a doorway. Quickly he opened fire and killed the enemy soldier. He then moved swiftly to an adjoining room. By this time the remainder of the Japanese in the basement were aware of his presence and opened fire with their rifles and began hurling hand grenades. Despite the fact that the narrow confines of the basement made him a vulnerable target, Sergeant Wren, spotting six Japanese by their movement and their fire, killed five of the six. In approximately ten minutes, Technical Sergeant Wren disposed of six of the seven enemy in the basement with fire from his carbine, disregarding their return fire. The only remaining enemy soldier took refuge behind some rubble and could not be fired upon from Technical Sergeant Wren’s position, but was subsequently killed in a mop-up by other members of the platoon. Technical Sergeant Wren’s courage in engaging an enemy force of unknown strength despite the fact that he knew he could not receive support from his comrades, and his calmness and skill in disposing of the enemy soldiers, enabled the platoon to secure the building and resume its advance without delay. Technical Sergeant Wren’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 37th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.