
The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
WRIGHT, RAYMOND R.
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company
A, 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Place and date: Ap Bac
Zone, Republic of Vietnam, 2 May 1967. Entered service at: Moriah, N.Y. Born:
5 December 1945, Moriah, N.Y.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty. While serving as a rifleman with Company A, Sp4c. Wright distinguished
himself during a combat patrol in an area where an enemy ambush had occurred earlier.
Sp4c. Wright's unit suddenly came under intense automatic weapons and small-arms fire from
an enemy bunker system protected by numerous snipers in nearby trees. Despite the heavy
enemy fire, Sp4c. Wright and another soldier leaped to the top of a dike to assault the
position. Armed with a rifle and several grenades, he and his comrade exposed themselves
to intense fire from the bunkers as they charged the nearest one. Sp4c. Wright raced to
the bunker, threw in a grenade, killing its occupant. The 2 soldiers then ran through a
hail of fire to the second bunker. While his comrade covered him with his machinegun,
Sp4c. Wright charged the bunker and succeeded in killing its occupant with a grenade. A
third bunker contained an automatic rifleman who had pinned down much of the friendly
platoon. While his comrade again covered him with machinegun fire, Sp4c. Wright charged in
and killed the enemy rifleman with a grenade. The 2 soldiers worked their way through the
remaining bunkers, knocking out 4 of them. Throughout their furious assault, Sp4c. Wright
and his comrade had been almost continuously exposed to intense sniper fire from the
treeline as the enemy desperately sought to stop their attack. Overcoming stubborn
resistance from the bunker system, the men advanced into the treeline forcing the snipers
to retreat, giving immediate chase, and driving the enemy away from the friendly unit so
that it advanced across the open area without further casualty. When his ammunition was
exhausted, Sp4c. Wright returned to his unit to assist in the evacuation of the wounded.
This 2-man assault had driven an enemy platoon from a well prepared position, accounted
for numerous enemy casualties, and averted further friendly casualties. Sp4c. Wright's
extraordinary heroism, courage, and indomitable fighting spirit saved the lives of many of
his comrades and inflicted serious damage on the enemy. His acts were in keeping with the
highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the
U.S. Army.
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