World War II Honoree

Theodore B. Ray, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Binghamton, New York

Honored By

An Indebted American

SERVED AS A LIEUTENANT WITH 790TH BOMB SQUADRON, 467TH BOMB GROUP, 8TH ARMY AIR CORPS. WAS INVOLVED IN COMMANDING THE MECHANICS OF MANY B-24 'FLYING FORTRESS' SUCH AS THE 'WITCHCRAFT' WHICH FLEW 130 COMBAT MISSIONS OVER ENEMY GERMAN TERRITORY WITHOUT AN EARLY RETURN OR ANY CASUALTIES. AS THE SQUADRON PERSONAL EQUIPMENT OFFICER, WAS COMMENDED FOR SAFEGUARDING THE LIVES OF COMBAT CREWS FLYING AT HIGH ALTITUDES. HE AND HIS MEN SUPPLIED AND MAINTAINED WELL FITTED OXYGEN MASKS TO PREVENT SUFFOCATION, ELECTRICALLY HEATED SUITS, GLOVES, AND SHOES TO GUARD AGAINST FREEZING TEMPERATURES, AND OTHER ITEMS FOR EACH COMBAT MAN FLYING IN THE GIANT LIBERATORS. HE PLAYED TENOR SAXOPHONE WITH A BAND FORMED OF FELLOW ARMY AIR CORPS COMRADES. DURING A COMPETITION IN RACKHEATH, ENGLAND HELD BY GLENN MILLER, HIS BAND WAS AWARDED FIRST PLACE AND THE HONOR TO PLAY AT THE STAGE DOOR CANTEEN AND COVENT GARDEN IN LONDON, ENGLAND.