World War II Honoree

Raymond E. 'Ray' Aranda, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER AS A TANK TURRET GUNNER WITH COMPANY A, 3RD MEDIUM TANK BATTALION, 3RD MARINE DIVISION. A VETERAN OF GUADALCANAL, GUAM AND IWO JIMA. HAD A CLOSE ENCOUNTER AT SEA WHILE ABOARD SHIP EN ROUTE TO IWO JIMA. A JAPANESE KAMIKAZE SUICIDE AIRCRAFT HIT THE SHIP HE WAS ON AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. ONLY THE QUICK WORK OF THE NAVY CREW IN REPAIRING THE DAMAGE ALLOWED THE SHIP TO CONTINUE IN ACTION. FOUGHT ON IWO JIMA AND WAS FORCED TO EVACUATE HIS TANK THROUGH THE ESCAPE HATCH ON ONE OCCASION. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, A NEAR MISS BY AN INCOMING SHELL WHILE HE WAS AWAY FROM HIS TANK WOUNDED HIS TANK COMMANDER AND KNOCKED HIM UNCONSCIOUS. THE EXPLOSION EMBEDDED VOLCANIC ASH IN HIS SKIN AND HE WAS BURIED SO DEEP IN BLACK ASH THAT HIS RESCUERS INITIALLY OVERLOOKED HIM. HE SURVIVED IWO JIMA TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.