Lester Wray honored with symbolic Purple Heart
Friends and family of a Vietnam veteran symbolically honored him with a Purple Heart medal he never received 55 years ago while recovering in Japan.
Many know Lester F. Wray III as 'Ripper' Wray or 'Legend of the Lake,' because of his experience as a fisherman. Others tell stories about how he's the neighbor everyone should have. Local veterans know him to be one of the most active members of his community.
Manny Torres, Wray's friend and fellow veteran at VFW Post 1098, said everyone knows him.
'Every dog in town knows Lester,' he said, explaining how friendly Wray is and how he's the 'salt of the earth — a good human being.' Torres said Wray has mowed his neighbors' lawns, trimmed their trees and washed their cars and never took a dime.
Wray became a member of the VFW Post two years ago with the help of Torres, who's also the post chaplain. Just recently, he found out Wray was wounded in Vietnam and somehow 'slipped through cracks' when other soldiers who were recovering beside him were being handed their Purple Hearts in Japan.
Torres said most of the veterans at the Post have a Purple Heart and couldn't believe it.
So, Torres along with Wray's daughter, Charlotte, are going through the process to get the honor sanctioned officially, although it takes months to process the records request.
Just before Thanksgiving last year, Wray was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, which is a rare neurological disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis.
Torres said there's a chance Wray will recover, but it will involve a lot of physical therapy. And, it may take up to a year.
To keep Wray's spirits high, Torres organized a symbolic ceremony for Wray recognizing his service.
Wray, who is also Choctaw, was born in Oklahoma City Sept. 7, 1947, and graduated Wilburton High School in 1967. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1968 to serve in the Vietnam War. Wray was not a stranger to the military. His father served in World War II and his grandfather served in World War I.
Wray trained at Fort Bliss, Texas, and at Fort Eustis, Virginia, to become a door gunner for the 1st Aviation Brigade of the 128th Assault Helicopter Company for the Gunslingers among the 12th Combat Group. He was stationed at the Phu Loi Base Camp in 1968 until he was wounded in a Cambodian Incursion in 1970.
'I've always wanted to fly,' said Wray, telling his story Monday, March 17, just before going outside for his symbolic ceremony. 'Never left no man dead, dying, or wounded on the battlefield. The last outing before the messed-up leg and ribs and lung was the Iron Triangle. They knew who we were. There were 60-something, 70-something men. By the time help got there, 40 guys were left. I was messed up and medevaced to a field hospital.'
Torres, who served a few years before Wray, trained door gunners and connected with Wray on many things. Up until the diagnosis, Wray and Torres were on the Post's Honor Guard together.
'Life expectancy for a door gunner is three weeks,' said Torres, adding its amazing Wray survived three years and even served as a crew chief.
According to Torres, during an incursion Wray's helicopter had to land due to engine failure. Immediately, the UH-1D Huey that can hold up to 12 soldiers was shot at with mortar fire. Wray sustained injuries to three ribs, his left lung and his left leg.
After being rescued, he was flown to Japan for surgery and recovered for a couple months before returning to the U.S.
Wray finished his service as a military policeman at Fort Hood, Texas, before returning to Oklahoma.
'When your country needed you, you served with pride and honor. You followed orders and completed your mission, even if that put you in harm's way. In spite of all this, your country failed to recognize your heroism by not honoring you with a medal you righteously earned. That is why, I, your brother in arms, am proud to present to you this medal with sincere gratitude for your faithful service. Here you are, brother,' Torres said to Wray, who was dressed in his combat uniform.
'I wasn't anyone special over there,' Wray said while his friends and family stood outside Mitchell Manor Care and Rehabilitation Center to see Post Commander Aaron Smith and Torres honor his service with a symbolic Purple Heart. 'I'm just a man trying to do his job and not expecting anything.'
Wray started to thank his daughter for helping him support the military by walking alongside him at the Armed Forces Day Parade, which he will not be able to do this year. Tearfully, he started naming his friends and family who were present and thanking them for everything. Then, Wray wanted pictures with everybody.
'I will never forget this day,' Wray said after trying his best to salute.
Wray said, 'The greatest casualty of life is being forgotten.'
'That won't happen to you,' replied Torres.
Torres and Charlotte Wray say they will continue to collect records needed to validate his Purple Heart. In the meantime, the VFW Post said it will plan something special for Lester Wray at the upcoming Armed Forces Day Parade in May.
Brig. General Carol Ann Fausone with Legal Help for Veterans said she receives at least 10 emails or phone calls a month for veterans trying to acquire a Purple Heart.
'A lot of the time, it's not the veteran, it's our family members,' she said. 'They are going through some of the memorabilia. They're saying their uncle earned a Purple Heart and we can't find it anywhere.'
On the Legal Help for Veterans website, they suggest any member of the U.S. Army who believes that he/she is eligible for the Purple Heart, but under unusual circumstances was not awarded it, can submit an application through their chain of command to: Awards and Decorations Branch 1600 Spearhead Division Ave. Fort Knox, Kentucky 40122-5408. Forms that are needed can be found at www.va.gov/find-forms.
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