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, N.Y.
Born: 5 December 1945, Moriah, N.Y.
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, Sp4c.
Wright distinguished himself during a combat patrol in an area where an enemy
ambush had occurred earlier. Sp4c. 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, Sp4c. 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. Sp4c. 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, Sp4c. 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, Sp4c. 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, Sp4c. 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, Sp4c. 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. Sp4c. 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.
Raymond R. Wright died on 23 September 1999