*DUKE, RAY E.
Rank/Organization:
Sergeant First Class, Company C, 21st Infantry Regiment
Place and date: Near Mugok, Korea, 26 April 1951
Entered service at:
Whitwell (Marion County), TN
Born:
9 May 1923, Whitwell, TN
General Order Number 20, 19 March 1954
Sfc. Duke, a member of Company C, distinguished himself by
conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the
call of duty in action against the enemy. Upon learning that several
of his men were isolated and heavily engaged in an area yielded by
his platoon when ordered to withdraw, he led a small force in a
daring assault which recovered the position and the beleaguered men.
Another enemy attack in strength resulted in numerous casualties but
Sfc. Duke, although wounded by mortar fragments, calmly moved along
his platoon line to coordinate fields of fire and to urge his men to
hold firm in the bitter encounter. Wounded a second time he received
first aid and returned to his position. When the enemy again
attacked shortly after dawn, despite his wounds, Sfc. Duke
repeatedly braved withering fire to insure maximum defense of each
position. Threatened with annihilation and with mounting casualties,
the platoon was again ordered to withdraw when Sfc. Duke was wounded
a third time in both legs and was unable to walk. Realizing that he
was impeding the progress of 2 comrades who were carrying him from
the hill, he urged them to leave him and seek safety. He was last
seen pouring devastating fire into the ranks of the onrushing
assailants. The consummate courage, superb leadership, and heroic
actions of Sfc. Duke, displayed during intensive action against
overwhelming odds, reflect the highest credit upon himself, the
infantry, and the U.S. Army.
Compiler: Merry Helm, Association Historian
Link: Ray E. Duke - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia