Herbert J. Ray

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Herbert James Ray
Rear Admiral
Service number0-8639
Commands heldUSS Maryland
USS Farenholt
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
Awards
Bronze Star

VE Day, he became the Junior United States Member of the Tripartite Naval Commission in Berlin. He retired from the Navy on 30 June 1949, and received a tombstone promotion
to rear admiral due to his combat decorations.

Early life

Herbert James Ray was born in

Annapolis, from which he graduated on 6 June 1914.[2]

On graduation, he was commissioned as an ensign, and joined the crew of the battleship USS Minnesota. In July 1915, he became an instructor for enlisted ratings in Norfolk, Virginia. He then became part of the crew that was assembled for the new battleship USS Nevada in January 1916, and served on it when it was commissioned in March 1916. After the United States declared war on Germany, he underwent submariner training on board the submarine tender USS Fulton from June to November 1917. During the war he served on the submarines USS H-2 and N-3.[2]

Between the wars

After the war, Ray was posted to the battleship

Executive Officer of the destroyer USS Walker. In November 1920, he helped fit out the destroyer USS Young, and served on it until April 1921, when he was transferred to the crew of another new destroyer, the USS Macdonough. He helped fit it out, and then served with it until September 1921.[2]

Ray returned to Annapolis as an instructor with the Electrical Engineering and Physics Department from September 1921 to June 1923. He then served on the transport USS Argonne until December 1924, when he became the Executive Officer of the destroyer USS Wood.[2] In 1926, he assumed command of the destroyer USS Farenholt.[1] In July, he became Officer in Charge of the Branch Hydrographic Office in Honolulu. He was Aide and Flag Secretary to the Commander Light Cruiser 2 from May 1928 to June 1930; Light Cruiser Divisions, Scouting Fleet from June to September 1930; and Light Cruiser 3 from September 1930 to July 1931. Ray married Helen Louise Jacobs from La Plata, Maryland in 1930. They had two daughters and two sons.[2]

Ray was the Navy Representative on the Joint Army-Navy Selective Services Committee at the War Department in Washington, D.C., from July 1931 to September 1933. He then helped fit out the new cruiser USS New Orleans, and became first he First Lieutenant and Damage Control Officer, and then, in February 1935, he Executive Officer. Following the usual pattern of alternating duty afloat and ashore, he returned to Annapolis in July 1936 for a second two-year tour as an instructor, this time in the Department of English and History.[2] In June 1938 he entered the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island. After graduating in June 1939, he became the Executive Officer of the USS Quincy.[1]

World War II

Southwest Pacific

In March 1941, Ray became Chief of Staff and Aide to the Commandant of the

Mariveles on Bataan Peninsula, he displayed courage and marked leadership. His close personal contact with the personnel of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three and constant concern with their problems was an outstanding example of leadership and exceptional efficiency in his profession. During this entire period of great stress, he performed exceptionally meritorious service to the government in duties of great responsibility. Captain Ray was sent to Mariveles on 14 December to supervise the work there and Commander Francis J. Grandfield temporarily assumed the duties of Chief of Staff. On completion of a reorganization at Mariveles, Captain Ray was ordered to Queen Tunnel Corregidor and resumed his duties as Chief of Staff.[4]

In March 1942, he participated in General Douglas MacArthur's escape from the Philippines, for which Ray was awarded the Silver Star.[2] His citation read:

For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving on the Staff of Rear Admiral Francis Rockwell, Commandant, Sixteenth Naval District, during the period 11 to 13 March 1942, in the Philippine Islands during an extraordinary action a retrograde maneuver involving General Douglas MacArthur. Captain Ray made detailed plans involving exacting preparations for a movement of major strategic importance and of the most hazardous nature, then executed the mission with marked skill and coolness in the face of greatly superior enemy forces.[5]

In Australia, Ray served with MacArthur's General Headquarters,

Army Distinguished Service Medal.[2] His citation read:

For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility in the Southwest Pacific Area during the period from 18 April 1942 to 26 April 1943. Captain Ray was assigned to General Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area, upon its establishment, 18 April 1942, serving as Naval Advisor to the Operations and Intelligence sections of the General Staff from 18 April 1942 to 9 January 1943. Upon the establishment of the Planning Section of G-3, 9 January 1943, he was assigned as Chief of that section. The accomplishment of the service for which this award is recommended has been completed. This officer has been transferred to another assignment. The entire service of Captain Ray has, since the rendering by him of the service upon which this recommendation is based, been honorable.[6]

USS Maryland

Ray served in the office of the Commander in Chief

Battle of Surigao Strait, it joined the other battleships in engaging the Japanese battleships Fusō and Yamashiro and their escorts.[7] Ray was awarded a second Silver Star. His citation read:

for gallantry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of the USS Maryland (BB-46), which contributed materially to the annihilation of enemy surface forces, including two battleships, on 25 October 1944, in Surigao Straits, Philippine Islands. Captain Ray, by his capable direction, caused his ship to deliver prolonged and effective gunfire against the enemy's ships.[8]

On 29 November, Maryland was attacked and severely damaged by

Bronze Star.[2]

Germany

Ray left Maryland in December 1944. He was appointed deputy director of the Naval Division of the US Control Group Council for Germany. After

VE Day, he became the Junior United States Member of the Tripartite Naval Commission in Berlin. He was promoted to the wartime rank of commodore on 26 June 1945. He returned to the United States in April 1946.[2] For his services in Europe, he was awarded a second Legion of Merit. His citation read:

For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in Germany from 1 March 1945 to 20 December 1945. Commodore Ray distinguished himself by unusually meritorious accomplishments as Deputy Director of the Naval Division, U.S. Group Control Council for Germany, and later, as Deputy Naval Advisor to the Office of Military Government for Germany (U.S.), and as junior member of the Tri-Partite Naval Commission meeting in Berlin from 15 August 1945 until 8 December 1945. In this duty, he contributed in a high degree to the successful conclusion to the Tri-Partite Naval Commission. He was instrumental in coordinating the Naval work of the U.S. Group Control Council, and other divisions of the U.S. Group Control Council, and in coordinating the efforts of the four powers represented on the Naval Directorate of the Group Control Council for Germany.[9]

Later life

Ray became Commander of the San Francisco Group of the Nineteenth Fleet in June 1946. On 10 July, like many other commodores, he was reduced in rank to captain again. He served in this capacity until he retired on 30 June 1949, at which point he received a tombstone promotion to rear admiral due to his combat decorations.[2] He died on 3 December 1970 at Beale Air Force Base Hospital in California.[1]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e Ancell & Miller 1996, p. 598
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Navy Biographies Section 1959, pp. 1–4
  3. ^ Bulkley 1962, p. 9
  4. Military Times
    . Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  5. Military Times
    . Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  6. Military Times
    . Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Maryland". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  8. Military Times
    . Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  9. Military Times
    . Retrieved 11 August 2012.

References

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