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SSG Justin Davis
to remember
Arnold, Ray Lewis, Sgt.
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Contact Info
Home Town Leadmine
Date of Passing Dec 07, 1984
Official Badges
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Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
SERGEANT RAY LEWIS ARNOLD WORKED AS A COAL MINER BEFORE ENLISTING IN THE U.S. ARMY INFANTRY ON 6 MAY 1941. HE WAS SENT TO THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC AND ASSIGNED AS A LIGHT MACHINE GUN SECTION LEADER WITH COMPANY "A" OF THE 21ST INFANTRY REGIMENT, 24TH INFANTRY DIVISION WHERE HE SERVED FROM 21 JUNE 1941 TO 19 MARCH 1945 TAKING PART IN 4 CAMPAIGNS INCLUDING THE AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT LANDINGS IN NEW GUINEA AND THE SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES. HE WAS WOUNDED ON 9 NOVEMBER 1944 IN LEYTE, PHILIPPINES. SGT ARNOLD WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON 13 JUNE 1945 AT WHICH TIME HE RETURNED HOME TO LEADMINE, TUCKER COUNTY, WV. ON 10 NOVEMBER 1945 HE MARRIED PAULINE ELIZABETH WEST. HE LIVED IN LEADMINE UNTIL HIS DEATH . RAY ARNOLD WAS LAID TO REST AT THE BETHEL CEMETERTY IN HOLLY MEADOWS, TUCKER COUNTY, WV.
Description (New Guinea Campaign 24 January 1943 to 31 December 1944) After the loss of Buna and Gona in New Guinea, the Japanese fell back on their stronghold at Lae. Their attempt to reinforce Lae by sea in March 1943 met with disaster when American and Australian planes sank most of the convoy in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. Salamaua and Lae then became the objectives for an Allied advance along the northern coast of New Guinea. Fifth Air Force bombers attacked airfields at Wewak, 300 miles west of Lae, to neutralize them. The Allies dropped paratroops at Nadzab, just beyond Lae. Enemy resistance at Salamaua broke on 14 September 1943; Lae fell two days later. In the months that followed, MacArthur’s forces pushed westward, capturing some Japanese strongholds and bypassing others. After taking Hollandia in April 1944, the Allies attacked islands off the northern coast of New Guinea, taking Wakde and Biak in May, Owi in June, and Noemfoor in July. Sansapor on New Guinea also was gained in July. Aerial attacks on the Philippines began in August, and Morotai was seized in October to provide air bases for the invasion of the Philippines. Allied planes also bombed the oil center at Balikpapan and other targets in Borneo and Celebes.
