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First Name: Raymond

Last Name: Wright

Birthplace: Moriah, NY, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: Moriah, NY
Middle Name: Richard



Date of Birth: 05 December 1945

Date of Death: 24 September 1999

Rank: Specialist 4

Years Served:
Raymond Richard Wright
'Buzz'

   
Engagements:
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Raymond Richard 'Buzz' Wright
Specialist Four, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

Specialist Four Raymond Richard Wright (5 December 1945 - 24 September 1999) was a U.S. Army soldier and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Raymond Richard Wright was born 5 December 1945 in Moriah, NY. He also joined the Army from Moriah. On 2 May 1967, Wright was serving as a Specialist Four in Company A of the 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. On that day in Ap Bac Zone, Republic of Vietnam, Wright and fellow soldier Sergeant Leonard B. Keller stormed a series of enemy bunkers which were firing on their unit. For their actions, both Wright and Keller received the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

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, NY. Born: 5 December 1945, Moriah, NY.

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, Sp4 Wright distinguished himself during a combat patrol in an area where an enemy ambush had occurred earlier. Sp4 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, Sp4 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. Sp4 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, Sp4 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, Sp4 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, Sp4 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, Sp4 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. Sp4 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.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Silver Star Medal

Death and Burial

Raymond Richard Wright died on 24 September 1999, at age 53. He is buried at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY.



Honoree ID: 1118   Created by: MHOH

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