World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
John P. Ray
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
RANK: SERGEANT. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ASSIGNED TO THE 2ND PLATOON, FOX COMPANY, 505TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 82ND AIRBORNE ‘ALL AMERICAN’ DIVISION. HE WAS A PARATROOPER WHO JUMPED INTO FRANCE IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS ON D-DAY, JUNE 6, 1944, THE INVASION OF GERMANY’S FORTRESS EUROPE, OPERATION OVERLORD. HE WAS SEVERELY WOUNDED ON THE DAY OF THE INVASION IN THE VICINITY OF STE.-MERE, EGLISE, RESULTING IN HIS DEATH WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1944 AND IS BURIED IN THE NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, FRANCE. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART. HIS DIVISION WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 1 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER, FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE FOURRAGERE, BELGIAN CROIX DE GUERRE WITH PALM, BELGIAN FOURRAGERE AND THE NETHERLANDS ORANGE LANYARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL VALOR AND HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE GERMAN ARMED FORCES.