{note - the "handwritten" portions of this document, not attributed to anyone else, were written by stepmother Mrs. Jean Ray}

SGT. JAMES MICHAEL RAY P O W MARCH 18, 1968 A B A N D O N E D !

You'd damn will care if it was YOUR father, son, brother, or husband !

(handwritten) S/SGT. James Michael Ray Born Nov. 10, 1949 - Cambridge, Mass. 525 Military Intelligence Group - Team 38

Please pay special attention to DATES & CIRCUMSTANCES

March 18, 1968 CAPTURED................

Purple Heart & Bronze Star June 11, 1969

DIED.................... July 4, 1969

ESCAPE ATTEMPT..........Silver Star Nov. 30, 1969

Purple Heart & Bronze Note - Returned Prisoners statements #(1) & (2) - Dept. of Defense letter - Sexton letters #(3)& _______________________________________________________________________
REPORT OF DEATH INFORMATION

** ALTHOUGH NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A FIRST HAND WITNESS TO YOUR SON'S DEATH, IT APPEARS, evident from the transcripts that SOMEONE MATCHING JIMMY'S DESCRIPTION APPARENTLY DIED ** while he was separated from the other POWs in the camp and that Mr. Sexton identified a photograph of Jimmy as that individual. It is true, as Mr. Guggenberger pointed out in his note to you, that he was never in the same bunker with your son. I have informed the U.S. Army that this statement is in error and requested that they correct Jimmy's record to reflect that Mr. Guggenberger states he was not in the same bunker does not bear directly on what happened to Jimmy.

**(Handwritten) How would you like to be declared dead on this kind of evidence?? I hope this information is useful to you in our mutual effort to understand what happened to your son while he was a POW. Sincerely, (signed) Gerald S. Venanzi COL, USAF Principal Advisor POW/MIA Affairs Attachments A. Guggenberger DA 341 B. Guggenberger Debrief Extract C. Neco-Quinoes Debrief Extract D. Sexton DA 341 E. Sexton Debrief ********************************************************************

#(3) July 29, 1986 To whom it may concern, The purpose for writing this statement is to explain my knowledge about James M. Ray, while being held captive by the Vietnamese. My first and only contact with Jimmy was sometime between October and December 1969. It is difficult to give an exact month since we were not told dates or even months. Each one of us tried to keep a mental calendar. The way this was done was when something happened concerning the war we were told when and where it happened. These events gave us a gauge to enable us to keep our running calendar. The peace marches were popular during this Oct-Dec time frame and we were kept posted of what were known as moratoriums. They used each occurance as propa- ganda in order to deminish our morale. One day the guard un-chained me to go and bathe. Along the trail he stopped me to look for a string or bucket in order to draw water from a shallow well. Since I was unchained, he told me to squat down. That is when I saw a caucasian man. He was lying in a hammock with both his feet and arms over the sides. We were forbidden to talk openly, so he and I communicated by saying words between coughs and yawns. Sometimes because the guard couldn't speak english, we would say something indirectly to one another. He said his name was Jimmy Ray and when talking about family he mentioned California. I wasn't able to find out if he meant his mother and father were from California. We constantly tried to find out information about one another in camp, out of a sense of caring and curiousity. It wasn't much later there were no sounds coming from where Jimmy was being held. I'm not exactly sure but I would say somewhere between three to six weeks. In 1970, during the Cambodian Invasion we were constantly on the move. Either because of logistics or lack of manpower we were all grouped and chained together. This is when I first met John Dunn. They were unable to keep us from talking since we were all so close even though they tried. John mentioned how he was captured with Jimmy and explained more about how he, Jimmy, and Ray Shrump had been previously held in an entirely different camp. There are a number of things which lead me to believe that something happened to Jimmy Ray. One cannot automatically conclude, by his no longer being in our camp, that he had died, since there is a possibility he was moved to another camp. Prisoners were shifted from one camp to another sometimes with no apparent reason. John Dunn and Ray Shrump had been in a previous camp with Jimmy and other Americans. Then one day they were brought to the camp where I was eventually brought. Ferdinand Rodriquez was moved out of our camp for some months, then one day he suddenly re-appeared. Later, when talking with him, he mentioned he had been in another camp. He said, while in this camp he was with Micheal Varnaro, the helicopter pilot we all had seen during the Cambodian Invasion. To my knowledge no one has seen or heard from Michael to this day. When I was first captured, I could not eat their food. The camp commander mentioned how there were many camps where Americans had said the same thing to him. Then throughout my captivity constant mention was made of these other camps. But mainly my captors stressed the punishment camps. According to the camp commander, these were for those of us who did not learn. This was especially stressed to me, after I had escaped on two occasions. In our camp every effort was made to keep us seperated. Most of the timed we were isolated or kept two to a bunker. During these times, while going to the bathroom, or to bathe, we would use our communicating techniques. It should be understood that at certain time periods, we didn't exactly know what was happening to one another. The only way to know for sure was to be chained together in the same bunker (hole in the ground). Rick Springman, who was last with me in my bunker, had no real proof of what happened to me. They moved him and everyone else out and left me behind alone. No one knew for sure what happened to me until they were released in 1973, and it was 1971 when I was released. To my knowledge, I was the last person to see Jimmy Ray. His appearance was exactly the same as all of the rest in our camp at one time or another. His appearing to be ill, cannot and should not be a determining factor in his status. I can only imagine how I looked after being held for the same amount of time. I remember hearing each man in our camp say how many times he had been sick. I personally was sick with malaria on average about once a month, and there was constant dysentery. Scurvey and beriberi and two more I remember, along with intestinal problems which persist till today. I have to conclude that no person, to my knowledge, in the United States knows exactly what happened to Jimmy Ray. The only people who know for sure are the Vietnamese. I hope this information will be of benefit so that correct conclusions will be made about Jimmy Ray. If I can be of further help please let me know. Sincerely, (signed) John Sexton, Jr. This letter was sent to: Bill Laahs Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs 414 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 tel. (202) 224-6230 (handwritten with arrow pointing up to Bill Laahs showing office of Alaska Senator Frank Murkowski)

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(Purple Heart Emblem) T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S O F A M E R I C A TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETING THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAS AWARDED THE P U R P L E H E A R T ESTABLISHED BY GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON AT NEWBURGH, NEW YORK, AUGUST 7, 1782 TO STAFF SERGEANT JAMES M. RAY, UNITED STATES ARMY FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION IN VIETNAM ON 18 MARCH 1968 GIVEN UNDER MY HAND IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON THIS 17TH DAY OF JANUARY 1974 (signed) (United States of America (signed) Verne L. Bowers War Office seal) Howard H.Callaway Major General, USA Secretary of the Army The Adjutant General ___________________________________________________________________
(Emblem) The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order, August 24, 1962, has awarded the Bronze Star Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) posthumously to STAFF SERGEANT JAMES M. RAY, (THEN PRIVATE FIRST CLASS), UNITED STATES ARMY for heroism: Staff Sergeant (then Private First Class) James M. Ray distinguished himself by heroic actions on 18 MARCH 1968 in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. While serving as a radio telephone operator on a road clearing mission with a unit of the Republic of south Vietnam Army, near Di Linh, Lam Dong Province, Sergeant Ray's unit came under heavy fire from the front. Sergeant Ray was wounded by an explosion. Although wounded, Sergeant Ray returned fire on a number of the enemy who were attempting to move toward his position. SERGEANT RAY WAS TAKEN PRISONER. During his period of confinement as Prisoner of War Sergeant Ray aided his fellow prisoners and tried to maintain a high morale at all times. The courage and performance of duty demonstrated by Sergeant Ray until his death reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

(SEAL)

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(handwritten in left margin) HONORABLE SERVICE returned POW's said "Jim could not have died on 11 June 69 because he tried to escape (Emblem) on 4 July 69" after proving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America this the U.S. Gov., we were ? In grateful Memory of ? told the dates were transposed STAFF SERGEANT JAMES MICHAEL RAY 11 June 69 ? He Died in the Service of our Country ? should have read 6 Nov 69 UNITED STATES ARMY on the 11th day of June 1969 This certificate is awarded as a testimonial of Honest and Faithful Service (Signed) ? _________________________________________________________________
(stamped seal?) JOINT CASUALTY RESOLUTION CENTER (large stamped word COMPLETE) NAS BARBERS POINT, HAWAII 96862 CASE #1093-1-01 NARRATIVE PFC James M. Ray, U.S. Army, was captured on 18 March 1968 while on a road clearing mission with Montagnard soldiers in Di Linh District, Lam Dong Province on Highway 20 in the vicinity of AN 775805. One other American, 1LT John G. Dunn, U.S. Army, was also captpured in this incident and was released in 1973. PFC Ray was wounded during capture and later became ill with malaria and reportedly died in NOVEMBER 1969 at a detention camp in the northern Tay Ninh Province/Cambodia area. According to other U.S. prisoners, PFC Ray was probably buried in the vicinity of this camp (WT 980900) by guards. PFC Ray's name appeared on the list of captured Americans furnished by the Provisional Revolutionary Government in January 1973, stating that he had died while in captivity of 6 November 1969. Data pertaining to this individual are as follows: (handwritten in the left Name: Ray, James Michael margin) Rank: PFC, U.S. Army this is what General Vessey Date of Birth: 10 November 1949 took to Vietnam to account for Race: Caucasian Jim. He's asking for Height: 1.72 meters a DEAD body Weight: 58.8 kilos (handwritten in right margin) Hair: Blond General Vessey Completely disregards the true statements Eyes: Hazel of EX POWS _________________________________________________________________
(Emblem) The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, has awarded the Silver Star posthumously to STAFF SERGEANT JAMES M. RAY, UNITED STATES ARMY for gallantry in action: Staff Sergeant James M. Ray is awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against an armed enemy while serving as a Prisoner of War in South Vietnam during the period July 1969. SERGEANT RAY DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF BY ATTEMPTING TO ESCAPE FROM AN ENEMY PRISON CAMP. He recognized that odds for success were slight and if he was recaptured he would receive severe torture, long periods of solitary confinement, and possible death by execution. Although he was recaptured, he maintained strong conviction in the Code of Conduct. In June 1969, Sergeant Ray was punished for violation of camp regulations by being placed in double chains, one on each ankle. Then in July 1969 while en route to the latrine, he attempted to escape by assault- ing a guard. At that time, he had a chain locked to each ankle and was carrying the excess chain in each hand. As he approached the guard sitting on a stool in the guard hooch. he suddenly stopped, dropped the chains, and hit the guard in the face with his fist, knocking him from the stool to the ground. He then reached and grabbed the guard's rifle and started to turn when he slipped and fell. As Sergeant Ray fell to the ground, the additional guard who unlocked him jumped on him, wrapping the chain around his neck and began beating him with his fist. The guard who had been knocked to the ground got up and started to kick and beat on Sergeant Ray. Then both guards wrapped Sergeant Ray in the chains and locked them and then threw him into his bunker. He was left over- night wrapped in the chains and the next day he was again secured to his bunker with two chains, one attached to each ankle. He was not allowed outside his bunker, and his rations were cut to one meal a day. SHORTLY AFTER THIS, HE WAS REMOVED FROM THE CAMP AND WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN. This extreme gallantry exhibited by Sergeant Ray was amply illustrated by the fact that so few prisoners ever tried to escape, primarily due to the rigid security measures imposed by the camp. This courageous escape attempt served more than to merely get him out of the prison camp. More guards were required, and prisoner morale soared. This act of gallantry, with recognition of the grave risk to his own life, demonstrated a great devotion to duty and his country, which reflected great creat upon himself and the United States Army. (seal) _________________________________________________________________
(Emblem) T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S O F A M E R I C A TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS GREETING THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AUTHORIZED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER, 24 AUGUST 1962 HAS AWARDED TO STAFF SERGEANT JAMES M. RAY, UNITED STATES ARMY FOR MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT IN GROUND OPERATIONS AGAINST HOSTILE FORCES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA FROM 18 MARCH 1968 TO 30 NOVEMBER 1969 GIVEN UNDER MY HAND IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON THIS 19TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 1974 United States of America War Office (seal) (signed) (signed) Verne L. Bowers Howard H. Callaway Major General, USA Secretary of the Army The Adjutnat General _________________________________________________________________
(Emblem) T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S O F A M E R I C A TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETING THIS IS TO CERTIFY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAS AWARDED THE P U R P L E H E A R T (FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER) ESTABLISHED BY GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON AT NEWBURGH, NEW YORK, AUGUST 7, 1782 TO (handwritten in the left margin) STAFF SERGEANT JAMES M. RAY, UNITED STATES ARMY FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED Why changed IN ACTION to Cambodia? IN CAMBODIA ON 30 NOVEMBER 1969 GIVEN UNDER BY HAND IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON THIS 17TH DAY OF JANUARY 1974 (signed) (signed) Verne L. Bowers Howard H. Callaway Major General,USA Secretary of the Army The Adjutant General (seal) (handwritten on the bottom of this document) Is it because we have no diplomatic relations with Cambodia and don't have to account for him?? _________________________________________________________________
(Emblem) T H E U N I T E D S T A T ES O F A M E R I C A TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETING THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AUTHORIZED BY ACT OF CONGRESS JULY 9, 1918 HAS AWARDED TO STAFF SERGEANT JAMES M. RAY, UNITED STATES ARMY FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION IN VIETNAM DURING THE PERIOD JULY 1969(note date) GIVEN UNDER MY HAND IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON THIS 17TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 1974 (signed) (signed) Verne L. Bowers Howard H. Callaway Major General, USA Secretary of the Army The Adjutant General (seal)