The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Grant DeWight Ray, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Fire Support Team Chief with Troop G, 10th Cavalry, 1st Brigade Reconnaissance Troop, 4th Infantry Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 18 – 19 September 2003. While on patrol in East Tikrit, Iraq, Sergeant Ray’s patrol came under heavy enemy fire. Sergeant Ray immediately identified the ambush site and directed return fire. Despite being wounded he immediately jumped into the gunner’s hatch and manned the mounted weapon after seeing his gunner collapse. After noticing that the trail vehicle had not cleared the ambush area, he ordered his vehicle back into the kill zone while he continued to fire the mounted weapon. Sergeant Ray’s unselfish act to man the crew-served weapon, accurately direct return fire, and return to extract soldiers from enemy fire caused the enemy to break contact and ultimately saved the lives of soldiers in his patrol. Sergeant Ray’s actions keep with the highest standards of selfless service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 4th Infantry Division, Combined Joint Task Force Seven, and the United States Army.