Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
James
Michael
Ray
POW (RVN) MIA
November 10, 1949

–

November 30, 1969

Cemetery:

Cenotaph at Arlington National Cemetery

James Ray was with a unit of the South Vietnamese Army on a road clearing mission when they came under attack on March 18, 1968. He was wounded by an explosion but managed to return fire on the enemy before he was taken captive. As a Prisoner of War, he managed an escape attempt from his captors in July 1969, but he was quickly recaptured. He died in captivity on November 30, 1969. His remains have never been recovered.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    June & July 1969
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 56 (December 31, 1974)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant James Michael Ray, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against an armed enemy while serving as a Prisoner of War in South Vietnam during the period June and July 1969. Sergeant Ray distinguished himself by attempting to escape from an enemy prison camp. He recognized that odds for success were slight and if he was recaptured he would receive severe torture, long periods of solitary confinement, and possible death by execution. Although he was recaptured, he maintained strong conviction in the Code of Conduct. In June 1969, Sergeant Ray was punished for violation of camp regulations by being placed in double chains, one on each ankle. Then in July 1969 while en route to the latrine, he attempted to escape by assaulting a guard. At that time, he had a chain locked to each ankle and was carrying the excess chain in each hand. As he approached the guard sitting on a stool in the guard hooch. he suddenly stopped, dropped the chains, and hit the guard in the face with his fist, knocking him from the stool to the ground. He then reached and grabbed the guard’s rifle and started to turn when he slipped and fell. As Sergeant Ray fell to the ground, the additional guard who unlocked him jumped on him, wrapping the chain around his neck and began beating him with his fist. The guard who had been knocked to the ground got up and started to kick and beat on Sergeant Ray. Then both guards wrapped Sergeant Ray in the chains and locked them and then threw him into his bunker. He was left over- night wrapped in the chains and the next day he was again secured to his bunker with two chains, one attached to each ankle. He was not allowed outside his bunker, and his rations were cut to one meal a day. Shortly after this, he was removed from the camp and was never seen again. This extreme gallantry exhibited by Sergeant Ray was amply illustrated by the fact that so few prisoners ever tried to escape, primarily due to the rigid security measures imposed by the camp. This courageous escape attempt served more than to merely get him out of the prison camp. More guards were required, and prisoner morale soared. This act of gallantry, with recognition of the grave risk to his own life, demonstrated a great devotion to duty and his country, which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    March 18, 1968 – November 30, 1969

    Staff Sergeant James Michael Ray, United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia from March 18, 1968 until his death in captivity on or about November 30, 1969.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant [then Private First Class]

    Action Date:

    March 18, 1968

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Staff Sergeant [then Private First Class] James Michael Ray, United States Army, for heroic actions on 18 March 1968 in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. While serving as a radio telephone operator on a road clearing mission with a unit of the Republic of South Vietnam Army, near Di Hinh, Lam Dong Province, Sergeant Ray’s unit came under heavy fire from the front. Sergeant Ray was wounded by an explosion. Although wounded, Sergeant Ray returned fire on a number of the enemy who were attempting to move toward his position. Sergeant Ray was taken prisoner. During his period of confinement as Prisoner of War, Sergeant Ray aided his fellow prisoners and tried to maintain a high morale at all times. The courage and performance of duty demonstrated by Sergeant Ray until his death reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    March 18, 1968 – November 30, 1969

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pride in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant James Michael Ray, United States Army, for meritorious service while held as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia during the period 18 March 1968 to 30 November 1969. His ceaseless efforts to conduct himself strictly in accord with the Code of Conduct and policies of the prisoner organization in the difficult conditions of a communist prison clearly demonstrated his loyalty, love of country and professionalism. By his unselfish devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.