Lecil Ray

The Oklahoman

June 22, 1919

CADDO- Okla. June 21- (Special)- Lieut. Cecil S. Ray, (should be Lecil) 141^st infantry, has been decorated with the Croix de Guerre, according to word just received here. The citation was for heroism displayed at St. Etienne.

            Lieutenant Ray was wounded by machine gun fire and is now in Walter Reed hospital, Washington, D.C.

            At one time, Ray was employed by the Waters-Pierce Oil company in Oklahoma City. His parents live here.

The Caddo Herald

June 24, 1919

Lieutenant Ray Home

Lieutenant Lecil Ray arrived home last Thursday and spent the week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John S. Ray, going back to the hospital at Washington Tuesday.

Lieutenant Ray was around October 12^th in the fight that the 36^th Division was engaged in. he was in the Fort Worth contingent that did the great fighting those days in the center of the line. The objective of his regiment was St. Eteinne and it gained, though numbers were killed and wounded. In the regiments close to his was the 141^st and 142^nd in which were several Caddo boys, among them being V. J. Booth, Dick Bilbo, Kirby Glasscock, Ol Slack, and others. These boys escaped without wounds. It was in this fight that Elmer Keith lost his life.

Lieutenant Ray does not talk much about himself. He was with his company when three machine gun bullets struck him, all in the left breast near the heart, one tore a hole through and up his left arm, and two went through his breast, but not straight, he presenting a side target at the time, else he would have been killed.

He is still under treatment in the hospital and will not be discharged until he recovers the use of his arm. Aside from not being able to use his left hand and arm he is in fine health and spirits.

His friends here are very glad to see him.

In discussing the medical treatment the wounded receive Lieutenant Ray has much praise for the medical officers and hospital equipment of the army.