Raymond R. Wright

Raymond Richard Wright (December 5, 1945 – September 24, 1999) was a United States Army soldier from New York and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.

For the U.S. Marine Corps officer, see Raymond R. Wright (USMC).
Raymond Richard Wright
Raymond Wright
Nickname(s)Buzz
Born(1945-12-15)December 15, 1945
Moriah, New York
DiedSeptember 24, 1999(1999-09-24) (aged 53)
Place of burial
Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army
RankSpecialist Four
Unit60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsMedal of Honor
Silver Star

Biography

Wright joined the Army from his birth city of Moriah, New York, and by May 2, 1967 was serving as a Specialist Four in Company A of the 3d Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division.[1] 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.[2] For their actions, both Wright and Keller were awarded the Medal of Honor.[3][4]

Wright died at age 53 and was buried in Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, New York.[1][5]

On November 4, 2000, a former World War I Veterans park, in the hamlet of Mineville, Town of Moriah, New York, was renamed in honor of Wright. Among the additions to the park was a monument in tribute to Wright and a monument honoring five servicemen from the Town of Moriah that lost their lives serving in Vietnam:

  • John P. Drake, PFC US Army
  • David L. Jarvis, HM3 US Navy
  • Joseph J. Ribeiro, PFC US Army
  • Marcus W. Stoddard, PFC USMC
  • Michael D. Baker, SN US Navy.[6]

Medal of Honor citation

Specialist Four Wright's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

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.[1][7]

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See also

References
 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
  1. "Raymond "Buzz" Wright". Historic Port Henry - Moriah. Moriah Chamber of Commerce. August 4, 2015. Retrieved 2015-08-04.
  2. "Moriah community rallies for Medal of Honor recipient". The Sun Community News. Denton Publications, Inc. April 21, 2011. Retrieved 2015-08-04.
  3. Goodman, Christy (December 1, 2009). "Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Leonard B. Keller laid to rest". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2015-08-04.
  4. Taylor, Michael (May 31, 1999). "Tracking Down False Heroes / Medal of Honor recipients go after impostors". SF Gate. Retrieved 2015-08-04.
  5. "Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery". National Cemetery Administration. United States Department of Veterans Affairs. August 4, 2015. Retrieved 2015-08-04.
  6. "Raymond "Buzz" Wright Park | Port Henry - Moriah". www.porthenrymoriah.com. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
  7. "Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients". United States Army Center of Military History. October 3, 2003. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
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