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First Name: Ray

Last Name: Eubanks

Birthplace: Snow Hill, NC, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: La Grange, NC
Middle Name: E.



Date of Birth: 06 February 1922

Date of Death: 23 July 1944

Rank: Sergeant

Years Served: 1942 - 1944
Ray E. Eubanks

   
Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)

Biography:

Ray E. Eubanks
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
World War II

Sergeant Ray E. Eubanks (6 February 1922 - 23 July 1944) was a U.S. Army soldier who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during World War II.

Ray E. Eubanks was born on 6 February 1922 in Snow Hill, NC. He joined the Army from La Grange, NC. On 23 July 1944, he was serving as a Sergeant in Company D, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. That day on the island of Noemfoor in Dutch New Guinea, Sgt. Eubanks single-handedly assaulted an enemy position with a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). Although he was wounded and his BAR disabled during his approach, he nevertheless charged the position, using his gun as a club to kill several Japanese soldiers until he was himself killed. For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company D, 503rd Parachute Infantry.

Place and date: At Noemfoor Island, Dutch New Guinea, 23 July 1944.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty at Noemfoor Island, Dutch New Guinea, 23 July 1944. While moving to the relief of a platoon isolated by the enemy, his company encountered a strong enemy position supported by machinegun, rifle, and mortar fire. Sgt. Eubanks was ordered to make an attack with 1 squad to neutralize the enemy by fire in order to assist the advance of his company. He maneuvered his squad to within 30 yards of the enemy where heavy fire checked his advance. Directing his men to maintain their fire, he and 2 scouts worked their way forward up a shallow depression to within 25 yards of the enemy. Directing the scouts to remain in place, Sgt. Eubanks armed himself with an automatic rifle and worked himself forward over terrain swept by intense fire to within 15 yards of the enemy position when he opened fire with telling effect. The enemy, having located his position, concentrated their fire with the result that he was wounded and a bullet rendered his rifle useless. In spite of his painful wounds he immediately charged the enemy and using his weapon as a club killed 4 of the enemy before he was himself again hit and killed. Sgt. Eubanks' heroic action, courage, and example in leadership so inspired his men that their advance was successful. They killed 45 of the enemy and drove the remainder from the position, thus effecting the relief of our beleaguered troops.

Death and Burial

Sergeant Ray E. Eubanks was killed in action on 23 July 1944. He is buried at Westview Cemetery in Kinston, NC, in Division H, Lot 136.



Honoree ID: 1381   Created by: MHOH

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