Bernard J. Ray

Medal of Honor citation First Lieutenant Ray's official Medal of Honor citation reads: He was platoon leader with Company F, 8th Infantry, on November 17, 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, machinegun, 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. With implacable determination to clear the way, he placed explosive caps in his pockets, obtained several bangalore torpedoes, and then wrapped a length of highly explosive primer cord about his body. He dashed forward under direct fire, reached the barbed wire and prepared his demolition charge as mortar shells, which were being aimed at him alone, came steadily nearer his completely exposed position. He had placed a torpedo under the wire and was connecting it to a charge he carried when he was severely wounded by a bursting mortar shell. 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 about his body and the explosive caps in his pocket, he completed a hasty wiring system and unhesitatingly thrust down on the 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, resumption of which was of positive significance in gaining the approaches to the Cologne Plain.

Awards and decorations Lieutenant Ray received the following awards for his service alt=A metal device depicting a blue bar with a rifle, in front of a wreath of silver leaves.

Legacy In 1947, the Victory ship SS Lehigh Victory was renamed USAT Lt. Bernard J. Ray in his honor. On November 11, 1947, a memorial park in his hometown of Baldwin, New York was dedicated in his honor. The park now also commemorates Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient John J. Kedenburg and other military veterans. Ray's remains were returned to the United States in 1947 and reburied at Long Island National Cemetery on December 8, 1947.