Richard J. Ray, Jr. was born in Wills Point, Texas, on September 14, 1923. He was the son of Richard J. Ray, Sr. and Katie Annie Williams Ray. He attended Palacios High School.

Richard enlisted in the USAAC on December 9, 1942. After basic training, he was assigned to Pyote, Texas where he completed requirements for armorer-gunner, and was given combat crew flight training.

In January, 1944, he was assigned to the 562nd Bomb Squadron of the 338th Bomb Group located at Knettshall, England. Here, he was assigned to 2nd Lieutenant Bryant's crew. On June 8, 1944, the aircraft took off on a mission to bomb installations at Tours, France. Before reaching the target, the aircraft developed engine trouble and the pilot made the decision to return to base. A fire started within the flight deck and fuselage. This fire caused a bomb to explode, disintegrating parts of the aircraft and causing it to crash 14 miles west of Thetford, England. All crew members were killed in the crash and subsequent fire.

Initially interred in the squadron's cemetery near Cambridge, England, their remains were subsequently returned to the U.S., buried in a single bronze casket in Nashville National Cemetery, Madison, Davidson County, Tennessee, USA. SSgt Ray was one of the many brave Americans of the 388th Bomber Group who lost their lives in aerial operations against the German forces from June 1943 - August 1945.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, airforce.togetherweserved.com