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24 Jan 2004
Ray Archuletta entered the service of our country in April 1954. He served 3 tours in Germany, Fort Bragg, Fort Campbell, Fort Benning, and Fort Ord. He also had a previous tour I believe to be with the 1/327 Infantry in RVN. Ray died as a member of B Company 2/502 Infantry in RVN. His family misses not being able to enjoy the last 30 plus years with him but are blessed to have had him in our family the time we did. He did die doing what he believed to be his duty although others might have their own ideas. May he rest in peace.
From his brother,
Louis Archuletta
29 Jun 2007
HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY VIETNAM
APO San Francisco 96307
18 July 1966
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 4742
AWARD OF The BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR HEROISM
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced.
ARCHULETTA RAY A RA17404497 STAFF SERGEANT E-6 United States Army
CoB, 2d Bn (Abn), 502d Inf, 1st Bde, 101st abn Div, APO 96347
| Awarded: |
Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device |
| Date action: |
26 Mar 1966 |
| Theater: |
Republic of Vietnam |
| Reason: |
For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force Staff Sergeant Archuletta distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 26 March 1966 while serving as a scout team leader during a search and destroy mission near Tuy Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. As his four man scout team traveled along a dark trail, Staff Sergeant Archuletta detected a Viet Cong moving in the dense jungle. He immediately moved to the front of his patrol, charged the insurgent, and killed him, Moments after this initial contact, three men were pinned down by intense hostile fire. With complete disregard for his safety, Staff Sergeant Archuletta charged forward and killed two more Viet Cong before he was seriously wounded himself. Through his courage arid determination he contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission, Staff Sergeant Arcbuletta's personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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| Authority: |
By direction of the President under the provisions of Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962.
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FOR THE COMMANDER:
RICHARD J. SEITZ
Brigadier General, US Army
Chief of Staff
OFFICIAL:
L. T HARTIS
Colonel, AGC
Adjutant General
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HEADQUARTERS
AMERICAL DIVISION
APO San Francisco 96374
16 October 1967
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 892
AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR
(FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER)
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously.
ARCHULETTA RAY A RA 17404497, STAFF SERGEANT E6, United States Army
Company B, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 502nd Infantry
| Awarded: |
Silver Star (1st Oak Leaf Cluster) |
| Date action: |
25 Aug 1967 |
| Theater: |
Republic of Vietnam |
| Reason: |
For gallantry in action against a hostile enemy on 25 August 1967 near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam. While conducting a search and destroy mission, the point squad and platoon leader of Staff Sergeant Archuletta's platoon began receiving heavy enemy automatic weapons fire and were pinned down in an exposed rice paddy. Observing this, Sergeant Archuletta repeatedly exposed himself to the hail of enemy fire in order to properly position his men and direct their firepower. Seeing that the machinegunner and assistant machinegunner of the pinned down squad had both been wounded, Sergeant Archuletta, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, rushed forward through the heavy enemy automatic weapons fire to the machinegun position. After insuring that the wounded troopers were given proper medical attention and had been moved back to a safe position, he manned the machinegun and put out a heavy volume of firepower until running out of ammunition. Knowing that the machinegun was drastically needed in order to obtain superior fire power, Sergeant Archuletta fired his own rifle as he maneuvered from position to position in order to gather additional ammunition. After gathering the desperately needed ammunition, Sergeant Archuletta again opened up with the machinegun and was instrumental in saving one trooper's life and repelling the vicious enemy assault. Staff Sergeant Archuletta's outstanding display of gallantry and his devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect. great credit upon himself, and the Americal Division, and the United States Army.
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| Authority: |
By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 9 July 1918.
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FOR THE COMMANDER:
ROBERT P. MUSSER
Colonel, GS
Chief of Staff
OFFICIAL:
MATTEW W. IRVIN
LTC AGC
Adjutant General
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HEADQUARTERS
AMERICAL DIVISION
APO San Francisco 96374
18 October 1967
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 894
AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR
(SECOND OAK LEAF CLUSTER)
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously.
ARCHULETTA RAY A RA 17 404 497, SERGEANT FIRST CLASS (then SSG E-6), United States Army
Company B, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 502nd Infantry
| Awarded: |
Silver Star (2d Oak Leaf Cluster) |
| Date action: |
7 September 1967 |
| Theater: |
Republic of Vietnam |
| Reason: |
For gallantry in action against a hostile force on 7 September 1967 near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Archuletta distinguished himself as his platoon was moving a wounded man to a landing zone to be extracted when they were suddenly brought under a tremendous volume of enemy automatic weapons fire. Seeing his machinegunner wounded. Sergeant Archuletta ordered his evacuation while he rushed forward with complete disregard for his own safety and in spite of the enemy fire to provide covering fire. As the wounded man was too heavy to be carried by the medic, Sergeant Archuletta again moved through the fire and helped carry him to the safety of a nearby wood line position. Nearing the wood line, Sergeant Archuletta was seriously wounded and in one last valiant effort he ordered the medic to take the wounded man to safety as he stayed behind and expended his ammunition to provide the covering fire. The outstanding gallantry, devotion to his fellow soldier, and his intense dedication to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Archuletta were in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.
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| Authority: |
By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 9 July 1918.
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FOR THE COMMANDER:
ROBERT P. MUSSER
Colonel, GS
Chief of Staff
OFFICIAL:
MATTEW W. IRVIN
LTC AGC
Adjutant General
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From his brother,
Louis Archuletta
larchulett@yahoo.com
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