Near Stafford in Stafford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Ray Hall

Photographed By Kevin W., October 12, 2007

1. Ray Hall Marker

Inscription.
Hospital Corpsman Second Class
David R. Ray, U.S. Navy
Awarded the Medal of Honor (posthumously)
for combat operations against the enemy
in the Republic of Vietnam
on 19 March 1969 while serving with Battery D,
Second Battalion, Eleventh Marines,
First Marine Division
He gallantly gave his life for his Country

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list.

Location. 38° 29.982′ N, 77° 26.187′ W. Marker is near Stafford, Virginia, in Stafford County. Memorial is at the intersection of Belleau Avenue (Federal Route MCB-2) and Gilbert Road, on the right when traveling west on Belleau Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24008 Belleau Ave, Stafford VA 22556, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. An Established Front (about 600 feet away, measured

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in a direct line); Raider Hall (about 700 feet away); A Period of Firsts (about 800 feet away); William Groom Leftwich, Jr. (about 800 feet away); Heywood Hall (about 800 feet away); Gonzalez Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Growth of Training (approx. 0.2 miles away); 6th Marine Division Medal of Honor Recipients (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stafford.

Additional commentary.
1. Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class David R. Ray, USN (1945-1969)
David R. Ray was born in McMinnville, Tennessee, on 14 February 1945. He graduated from McMinnville High School in 1963 and attended the University of Tennessee until March 1966, when he enlisted in the Navy. Trained as

Ray Hall and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kevin W., October 12, 2007

2. Ray Hall and Marker

a Hospital Corpsman, Ray served on board the hospital ship USS Haven (AH-12), at the Long Beach Naval Hospital, and at Camp Pendleton, California, prior to beginning duty in the Republic of Vietnam in July 1968. On 19 March 1969, while serving with Battery D, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, at Phu Loc 6 in Quang Nam Province, he was killed in action while providing medical aid to injured Marines during an enemy attack on his unit. Petty Officer Ray was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism in that action.

Naval Historical Center
http://history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-r/dr-ray.htm

— Submitted October 19, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.

2. Medal of Honor Citation
The President of the United States, in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting
the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to:

Hospital Corpsman Second Class David Robert Ray
United States Navy

for

Photographed By Kevin W., October 12, 2007

3. Ray Hall and Marker

service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a HC2c. with Battery D, 2d Battalion, at Phu Loc 6, near An Hoa. During the early morning hours, an estimated battalion-sized enemy force launched a determined assault against the battery's position, and succeeded in effecting a penetration of the barbed-wire perimeter. The initial burst of enemy fire caused numerous casualties among the marines who had immediately manned their howitzers during the rocket and mortar attack. Undaunted by the intense hostile fire, HC2c. Ray moved from parapet to parapet, rendering emergency medical treatment to the wounded. Although seriously wounded himself while administering first aid to a marine casualty, he refused medical aid and continued his lifesaving efforts. While he was bandaging and attempting to comfort another wounded marine, HC2c. Ray was forced to battle 2 enemy soldiers who attacked his position, personally killing

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class David R. Ray, U.S. Navy image. Click for full size.

Official U S Navy Photo

4. Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class David R. Ray, U.S. Navy

1 and wounding the other. Rapidly losing his strength as a result of his severe wounds, he nonetheless managed to move through the hail of enemy fire to other casualties. Once again, he was faced with the intense fire of oncoming enemy troops and, despite the grave personal danger and insurmountable odds, succeeded in treating the wounded and holding off the enemy until he ran out of ammunition, at which time he sustained fatal wounds. HC2c. Ray's final act of heroism was to protect the patient he was treating. He threw himself upon the wounded marine, thus saving the man's life when an enemy grenade exploded nearby. By his determined and persevering actions, courageous spirit, and selfless devotion to the welfare of his marine comrades, HC2c. Ray served to inspire the men of Battery D to heroic efforts in defeating the enemy. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

— Submitted October 19, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.
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Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,564 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 19, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.