Member Biography

Ray was born in, December of 1945, in Montebello, California. He attended local schools and graduated from Montebello High School in 1963. He attended East Los Angeles Junior College for 1 year and then volunteered for the United States Army in September of 1964. He received his Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Ord, CA. While stationed at Fort Bliss, TX, in 1965, he volunteered for the 101st Airborne Division and upon completion of Airborne Training in September of 1965 was assigned to the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry and worked in the Operations Section. In 1966, his unit was redesignated as the 4th Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry and deployed to the Republic of South Viet Nam on 6 June 1966. Ray served as a Sergeant in the S-3 Air Section for 6 months and then was as a Squad Leader for 6 months in Company D, 4-503d Infantry. While in Viet Nam, he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and an ARCOM w/V. His unit received the Presidential Unit Citation (Navy) for assisting the United States Marines in the fall of 1966, and the US Army Meritorious Unit Citation. After his separation from the US Army in September of 1967, Ray worked in the defense industries sector of the economy. Commencing in 1969, he worked 9 years for Los Angeles County and was then employed by the City of Commerce for 25 years. Ray retired as the Assistant Director of Community Development in July of 2003. Ray is currently involved with the American Veterans Post 113 of Irwindale, CA, the Association of the 173d Airborne Brigade and on the Board of Directors of the 173d Airborne Brigade National Memorial Foundation.