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The 1940 <em>Howitzer </em>proclaimed that Ray was “admired and respected by all classes, and there is a distinct place in the Army for him.” His distinguished career bore out that prophecy. Commissioned in the Coast Artillery Corps, he served with distinction as Commanding Officer, 68th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion in Europe in 1944-1945, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. His love of electronics and engineering led to his study for an award of a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1951, and a branch transfer to the Signal Corps. Important assignments followed including Army Field Forces Liaison Officer to the Signal Corps Laboratories, 1951-1954; Director of Communication Department, Signal Research and Development Laboratories, 1960-1963; United States Signal Communications Agency in Japan, 1963-1965; Commandant, Army Signal School, Fort Gordon, Georgia, 1965-1967; and as a member of the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific, 1967-1970.</div>
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Ray retired in San Antonio, Texas, in 1970. He died on 20 March 1980 while undergoing open heart surgery at Brooke Army Hospital.</div>
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Ray is survived by his wife “Sissy,” Frances Kerr Bates, to whom he was married 26 November 1940 at Fort Monroe, Virginia.</div>
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He was buried with full military honors at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on 25 March 1980.</div>
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“Your work is done, Your course on earth is run, It will be said ‘well done.’ Be thou at peace.”</div>
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<em>—A Classmate</em></div>