Nisha Rathode (Editor)

Ray E Eubanks

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Years of service
  
1942 - 1944

Awards
  
Medal of Honor

Unit
  
503rd Infantry Regiment

Name
  
Ray Eubanks

Battles/wars
  
World War II

Rank
  
Sergeant

Battles and wars
  
World War II



Born
  
February 6, 1922 Snow Hill, North Carolina (
1922-02-06
)

Place of burial
  
Westview Cemetery, Kinston, North Carolina

Died
  
July 23, 1944, Numfor, Indonesia

Service/branch
  
United States Army

Allegiance
  
United States of America

Ray E. Eubanks (February 6, 1922 – July 23, 1944) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in World War II.

Contents

Biography

Eubanks joined the Army from La Grange, North Carolina in 1942, and by July 23, 1944 was serving as a Sergeant in Company D, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. On that day, on the island of Noemfoor in Dutch New Guinea, Sgt. Eubanks single-handedly assaulted an enemy position with a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). Although he was wounded and his BAR disabled during his approach, he nevertheless charged the position, using his gun as a club to kill several Japanese soldiers until he was himself killed. For these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor eight months later, on March 29, 1945.

Eubanks, aged 22 at his death, was buried in Westview Cemetery, Kinston, North Carolina.

Medal of Honor citation

Sergeant Eubanks' official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty at Noemfoor Island, Dutch New Guinea, 23 July 1944. While moving to the relief of a platoon isolated by the enemy, his company encountered a strong enemy position supported by machinegun, rifle, and mortar fire. Sgt. Eubanks was ordered to make an attack with 1 squad to neutralize the enemy by fire in order to assist the advance of his company. He maneuvered his squad to within 30 yards of the enemy where heavy fire checked his advance. Directing his men to maintain their fire, he and 2 scouts worked their way forward up a shallow depression to within 25 yards of the enemy. Directing the scouts to remain in place, Sgt. Eubanks armed himself with an automatic rifle and worked himself forward over terrain swept by intense fire to within 15 yards of the enemy position when he opened fire with telling effect. The enemy, having located his position, concentrated their fire with the result that he was wounded and a bullet rendered his rifle useless. In spite of his painful wounds he immediately charged the enemy and using his weapon as a club killed 4 of the enemy before he was himself again hit and killed. Sgt. Eubanks' heroic action, courage, and example in leadership so inspired his men that their advance was successful. They killed 45 of the enemy and drove the remainder from the position, thus effecting the relief of our beleaguered troops.

References

Ray E. Eubanks Wikipedia