Baldwin in Nassau County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Lt. Bernard James Ray, C. M. H.
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 11, 2025
1. Lt. Bernard James Ray, C. M. H. Marker
Lt. Bernard James Ray, C. M. H.
Who deliberately gave his life for his comrades and his country in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany, on November 17, 1944.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list.
Location. 40° 38.943′ N, 73° 36.849′ W. Memorial is in Baldwin, New York, in Nassau County. It can be reached from Foxhurst Road half a mile south of Merrick Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 761 Foxhurst Rd, Baldwin NY 11510, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in the New York City Metropolitan Area and on Long Island. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sp.5 John J. Kedenburg C.M.H. (here, next to this marker); Baldwin World War II Memorial (here, next to this marker); Baldwin Korean War Memorial (here, next to this marker); Baldwin Vietnam War Memorial (here, next to this marker); Operation Desert Storm (a few steps from this marker); Baldwin Honor Roll (a few steps from this marker); World War I 100 Years
this page online
Also see . . . Bernard James Ray (Congressional Medal of Honor Society).
He was platoon leader with Company F, 8th Infantry, on 17 November 1944, during the drive through the Hurtgen Forest near Schevenhutte, Germany. The American forces attacked in wet, bitterly cold weather over rough, wooded terrain, meeting brutal resistance from positions spaced throughout the forest behind minefields and wire obstacles. Small arms, machine-gun, mortar, and artillery fire caused heavy casualties in the ranks when Company F was halted by a concertina-type wire barrier. Under heavy fire, 1st Lt. Ray reorganized his men and prepared to blow a path through the entanglement, a task which appeared impossible of accomplishment and from which others tried to dissuade him...Apparently realizing that he would fail in his self-imposed mission unless he completed it in a few moments, he made a supremely gallant decision. With the primer cord still wound around his body and the explosive caps in his pocket, he completed a hasty wiring system and unhesitatingly thrust down on the(Submitted on October 18, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)handle of the charger, destroying himself with the wire barricade in the resulting blast. By the deliberate sacrifice of his life, 1st Lt. Ray enabled his company to continue its attack, the resumption of which was of positive significance in gaining the approaches to the Cologne Plain.Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 11, 20252. Lt. Bernard James Ray, C. M. H. MarkerThe memorials to 1st Lt. Ray and Sp.5 Kedenburg are at the center of this section of the memorial plaza.
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 11, 2025
3. Baldwin Veterans Memorial Plaza
A sign at the entrance to the plaza is also dedicated to the memory of 1st Lt. Ray.
Photographed by U.S. Army
4. Lt. Bernard James Ray, C. M. H.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 50 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 18, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
