Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Sergeant Charles W. Ray received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 19, 1899 near San Isidro, Luzon, Philippine Islands during the Philippine Insurrection. At the time he was serving with Company I, 22d U.S. Infantry. Ray was 27 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 18, 1902, 2 years after the action.
Ray was born on August 6, 1872 in Pensacola, Yancey County, North Carolina. His Medal of Honor is credited to St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri. Ray died on March 23, 1959 in Grandfield, Oklahoma, at the age of 86. He is buried at Grandfield Memorial Cemetery in Grandfield, Oklahoma.
Ray is one of 82 Medal of Honor recipients from the Philippine Insurrection and one of 78 credited to Missouri.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Most distinguished gallantry in action. Captured a bridge with the detachment he commanded and held it against a superior force of the enemy, thereby enabling an army to come up and cross.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Philippine–American War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Missouri →
Timeline
- August 6, 1872Born in Pensacola, Yancey County, North Carolina
- October 19, 1899Act of valor — near San Isidro, Luzon, Philippine IslandsAge 27. Company I, 22d U.S. Infantry
- April 18, 1902Medal of Honor presented
- March 23, 1959Died in Grandfield, OklahomaAge 86.
- Resting placeGrandfield Memorial CemeteryGrandfield, Oklahoma
Biography
Charles W. Ray (August 6, 1872 - March 23, 1959) was a sergeant in the United States Army and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the Philippine–American War.
From the Wikipedia article “Charles W. Ray”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
