World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Donald W. Ray
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Minco, Oklahoma
Honored By
Robert S. Cox
HIS BATTALION DEPARTED THE HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA PORT OF EMBARKATION ON OCTOBER 13, 1943 AND ARRIVED IN NORTH AFRICA ON NOVEMBER 6, 1943. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH THE 238TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION. MOVED TO ENGLAND ON JANUARY 21, 1944. PARTICIPATED IN THE NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE (BATTLE OF THE BULGE), AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. LANDED AT UTAH BEACH IN NORMANDY, FRANCE ON JUNE 6, 1944 (D-DAY). THE REALITY OF WAR WAS BROUGHT HOME TO HIM AS HE STUMBLED OVER THE SHATTERED BODIES OF 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION SOLDIERS THAT HAD LANDED PREVIOUSLY. HIS UNIT WAS ENGAGED IN BUILDING AND DESTROYING BRIDGES, AND CLEARING LAND MINES AND OTHER OBSTACLES. HE SPENT MOST OF D-DAY SETTING UP AND GUARDING A BRIDGE JUST OFF THE BEACH. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH SILVER SERVICE STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH ‘GERMANY’ CLASP. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AFTER THE WAR AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.