Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Sergeant First Class Ray E. Duke was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on April 26, 1951 in Mugok, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with Company C, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Duke was 27 years old.
The medal was presented on March 10, 1954, 2 years after the action — the Pentagon, presented by Sec. of the Army Robert t. Stevens to his Mother, Mrs. Ida B. Duke. He later rose to the rank of Master Sergeant.
Duke was born on May 9, 1923 in Whitwell, Marion County, Tennessee. Duke died on November 11, 1951 in Korea, at the age of 28. He is buried at Chattanooga National Cemetery in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His medal is held by Charles H. Coolidge Medal of Honor Heritage Center, Chattanooga, TN.
Duke is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 33 credited to Tennessee.
Official Medal of Honor citation
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 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 ensure 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 two 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
Duke, although wounded by mortar fragments, calmly moved along his platoon line to coordinate fields of fire and urge his men to hold firm in the bitter encounter.
When the enemy again attacked shortly after dawn, despite his wounds, Sfc.
Duke was wounded a third time in both legs and was unable to walk.
- Awarded posthumously — died November 11, 1951.
- Age at death: 28
- Resting place: Chattanooga National Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Ray E. Duke received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Korean War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Tennessee →
Timeline
- May 9, 1923Born in Whitwell, Marion County, Tennessee
- April 26, 1951Act of valor — Mugok, KoreaAge 27. Company C, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division
- November 11, 1951Died in KoreaAge 28.
- March 10, 1954Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyThe Pentagon, presented by Sec. of the Army Robert t. Stevens to his Mother, Mrs. Ida B. Duke
- Resting placeChattanooga National CemeteryChattanooga, Tennessee
Biography
Ray Eugene Duke (May 9, 1923 – November 11, 1951) was a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 26, 1951. He was captured by the enemy, and died as a prisoner of war later that year.
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