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 Private First Class John W. Ray (ASN: 38522271), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 21 October 1944. 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, mortars, and 75-mm. guns, soon enveloped both flanks of the highway and overran the forward foxholes. After four suicide attacks were repulsed by Private Ray 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 remaining men in his vicinity began their ordered withdrawal in small groups, Private Ray remained in his foxhole and covered their movements with deadly rifle fire. After all of his comrades but one had withdrawn, although seriously wounded, he protected the withdrawal of this lone companion and then followed him through heavy enemy fire.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 the 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 companion’s withdrawal before he returned to the company lines. Despite fatigue and shock, he gallantly insisted on guiding a platoon back to rescue 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 serious enemy threat and did much to insure our initial successes during the vitally important Leyte operation. His 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 24th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.