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Video by Spc. Jennifer Posy

Medal of Honor 1LT Ray J. Bernard

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

May 30, 2025 | 0:53

On this day, we honor the legacy of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Ray J. Bernard who bravely and courageously fought in Hurtgen Forest near Schevenhutte, Germany in 1944. For his courageous acts of valor during World War II, he was presented with the Medal of Honor. (Citation) In Hurtgen Forest, Germany, under heavy fire, 1st Lt. Ray J. Bernard reorganized his men and prepared to blow a path through the entanglement, a task which others tried to dissuade him. With the primer cord still wound around his body and the explosive caps in his pocket, he completed a hasty wiring system and unhesitatingly thrust down on the handle of the charger, destroying himself with the wire barricade in the resulting blast. By the deliberate sacrifice of his life, 1st Lt. Ray enabled his company to continue its attack, the resumption of which was of positive significance in gaining the approaches to the Cologne Plain. (U.S. Army video by Spc. Jennifer Posy) “Destruction” by De Wolfe Music Ltd is licensed under De Wolfe Music Library. To request a copy of this 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment’s license please email team@dewolfemusic.com