DAVID R RAY DD 971

Ship Name and Designation History

This section lists the names and designations that the ship had during its lifetime. The list is in chronological order.

Spruance Class Destroyer Keel Laid 23 September 1974 - Launched 24 August 1975 USS DAVID R. RAY DD-971 Commissioned 19 November 1977 - Decommissioned 28 February 2002 Struck from Naval Register 6 November 2002 Sunk 12 July 2008 as target during RIMPAC 2008

Naval Covers

This section lists active links to the pages displaying covers associated with the ship. There should be a separate set of pages for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Covers should be presented in chronological order (or as best as can be determined).

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1. USS David R. Ray DD-971 Covers Page 1    (1977-2002)

 

Postmarks

This section lists examples of the postmarks used by the ship. There should be a separate set of postmarks for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Within each set, the postmarks should be listed in order of their classification type. If more than one postmark has the same classification, then they should be further sorted by date of earliest known usage.

A postmark should not be included unless accompanied by a close-up image and/or an image of a cover showing that postmark. Date ranges MUST be based ONLY ON COVERS IN THE MUSEUM and are expected to change as more covers are added.
 
>>> If you have a better example for any of the postmarks, please feel free to replace the existing example.

 

Postmark Type --- Killer Bar Text	Postmark Date	Thumbnail Link To Postmark Image	Thumbnail Link To Cover Image

 

Locy Type FDC 2-1(n)(USS)

1977-11-19

First Day in Commission, cacheted.

 

Locy Type 2-1(n) (USS)

1978-01-07

Ship's cachet.

 

Locy Type 2-1(n) (D1,USN,USS)

1983-06-11

Note

 

Locy Type 2-1(n) (D1,USN,USS no period after R) {1986}

1986-04-16

Note

 

Locy Type 2-1(n+) (D2,USN,USS, no period after R) {1992}

1998-01-05

Sailor's "FREE" Mail, cover serviced by Richard P. Motz

 

Locy Type 9-1(n+u) (USN,USS)

1996-01-25

Note

 

Locy Type 11-1 (USS, FPO AP 96677-1209)

2001-07-28

Collectors Request, from the Thad Kaczkowski collection.

 

Locy Type 12-1c (USS, FPO AP 96677-1209)

2001-07-28

Collectors Request, from the Thad Kaczkowski collection.

 

Locy Type FDC F

2002-02-28

Decommissioning. Collectors Request, from the Thad Kaczkowski collection.

 

Other Information

NAMESAKE - Hospital Corpsman Second Class David Robert Ray, USN (February 14 1945 - July 1969)
HM2 Ray joined Battery D, Second Battalion, Eleventh Marines, U.S. 1st Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force in The Republic of Vietnam in July 1969.
While defending their fire base at Liberty Bridge, Phu Loc 6, near An Hoa against the intense hostile fire of a determined assault, Petty Officer Ray moved from parapet to parapet rendering emergency medical treatment to the wounded. He battled two enemy soldiers who attacked his position, killing one and wounding another. Although wounded himself, he refused medical treatment and advanced through the hail of enemy fire to continue his lifesaving efforts.
Petty Officer Ray's final act of heroism was to protect a Marine he was treating. Out of ammunition and severely wounded, he threw himself upon the injured Marine when a grenade landed nearby, thus saving his life when it exploded. In addition to Petty Officer Ray, ten Marines died in the battle.
HM2 David R. Ray was posthumously awarded The Medal of Honor. He was also awarded the Purple Heart Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (with star) and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

 

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