11 Mar 2007 Dave, another recruit named Bob Hamblett, and I became friends during boot camp at Parris Island. The friendship continued as we went through all of our training until we three went our separate ways upon arrival in Vietnam. Dave died in a mortar attack a month after arriving in Vietnam - still a "boot" to those he served with in his new unit. Dave was smart, he was funny and he was a fine Marine and I am proud to have known him. I began to correspond with his mother after his death and still have letters from her all these many years later. I even visited the family in New York in 1972 while passing through the area. I hope that someone from the family reads this and realizes that an old comrade still has good memories of Dave all these many years later. From a fellow Marine, Danny Bradley quigzi271@verizon.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Eleven Marines and one sailor from D Btry, 2nd Bn, 11th Marines died when a Marine fire base at Phu Loc 6 (near An Hoa) was attacked and partially overrun by an enemy battalion. The sailor, HM2 David R. Ray was formally assigned to the Headquarters Battery, but was Delta 2/11's senior Corpsman. The twelve men were HM2 David R. Ray, McMinnville, TN (Medal of Honor) Cpl Richard Gilliam, Philadelphia, PA Cpl Charles E. Wheeler, Bucklin, MO LCpl Charles E. Grooms, Trotwood, OH Pfc John F. Allen, Bowling Green, KY Pfc Donald R. Bartley, Lizton, IN Pfc Dennis F. Ellis, Porterville, CA Pfc John M. Goodwin, McArthur, OH Pfc Robert R. Highfill, Hacienda Heights, CA Pfc George N. Myers, Lancaster, PA Pfc Loring W. Watson, Brewer, ME Pfc Paul Wilson, Bakersfield, CA Although the attack was aimed primarily at the artillery positions, the security force from 1st Bn, 5th Marines, in position about 150 meters from the main point of attack, was hit as well, losing three men: GySgt Floyd M. Keefe, Montgomery, AL, H&S 1/5 (Silver Star) HN Lee T. Hamman, San Gabriel, CA, H&S 1/5 Pfc David B. Arnott, Liverpool, NY, Delta 1/5 The action is described in Petty Officer Ray's Medal of Honor Citation.

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