Tributes to Capt.
John E. Ray
The following letters received by Mrs. Mary Brinson upon the
death of her nephew, Capt. John E. Ray, from wounds received in action in
France, show the deep regard which was felt for him by the officers and men of
the 105th Field Signal Battalion, to which organization Capt. Ray
belonged before being transferred to the 119th Infantry.
National Headquarters,
American Red Cross
Dec. 3, 1918
My dear Mrs. Brinson:
Your brave nephew, Capt. John E. Ray, has given his all for
his country and a grateful nation can never forget how much she owes him. I
think that the enclosed letter is a very beautiful tribute to the qualities of
this gallant soldier, and the example of a man like that lives on.
Capt. Ray was buried with full military honors. His grave is
marked and will be reverently guarded. There is very little that I can add to
this, but I wish there were something that it were possible to do to be of
service to you. We owe an unpayable debt to a man like your nephew.
Sincerely yours,
William R. Castle Jr.
France, Oct. 21, 1918
My dear Mrs. Brinson:
It is with the profoundest sorrow that I have just learned
of the passing of your nephew, Capt. John R. Ray, and I am writing you,
trusting that you will convey to the others in his family my sincerest
sympathy.
Although Capt. Ray was with us only a short time, I think
that I can safely say that he was known and loved by every man and officer in
our organization as was no other of its members.
Capt. Ray was an officer who was most devoted to his office
and to his profession; but first of all he was a kindly, gracious gentleman,
and it was this that one for him the love of the men of this Battalion.
He was wounded about two weeks ago, while on duty at an
advanced dressing station, and while we had learned that he had been taken to
England, none of us had any idea that his wounds were dangerous until we
learned today of his death.
I have known men to go out of the way to pass and salute
Capt. Ray in order to receive a passing word or a pleasant smile from him,
which would leave a bright place in the day.
A true gentleman has passed form among us, a hero has gone,
but he will live long in the memory of the organization with which he came to
France.
With deepest sympathy and kindest personal regards, my dear
friend, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Dan Tompkins
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