Ray was an early draftee the US Army that was to only serve one year, but of course, the Japs bombed Pearl Harbor and he was now in the Army for the duration of the war. With his administration and management skills he advanced fairly rapidly through the ranks to Master Sergeant of the Infantry Divisions. He spent most of his time in the United States going from one camp to another as a cadre for the organization of new Infantry Divisions. We remember him being station at Camp Forest, Tennessee, Fort Collins, Colorado and several ones in Arkansas. His last assignment and overseas service was with Headquarters Company, 66th Infantry Division at Camp Blanding, Florida. While there he was awarded a letter of commendation for saving the life of a Private from drowning. The Division arrived in France in November 1944 and received one battle star for Northern France. His awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation, American Defense, American and European Theaters, Good Conduct and WWII Victory Medals.