World War II Honoree

Wyche H. Ray

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Goldsboro, North Carolina

Honored By

Family and NC Triangle Flight of Honor

LINE OFFICER/WATCH OFFICER, ASSISTANT GUNNERY OFFICER, LST-512. WAS ASSIGNED TO THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS AND PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF NORMANDY IN JUNE, 1944. IN OCTOBER 1945, (WITH 600 GERMAN PRISONERS OF WAR ABOARD TO BE TAKEN TO USA) A SEVERE STORM IN THE ENGLISH CHANNEL BROACHED THE SHIP ON THE BEACH, 'BREAKING HER BACK.' SHE WAS TOWED TO ENGLAND FOR TEMPORARY REPAIRS, MADE BY WELDING RAILROAD IRON ALONGSIDE THE DAMAGED KEEL, THEN RETURNED TO THE PORTSMOUTH SHIPYARD UNITED STATES JANUARY 1945 WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED.