 Raymond (Ray) Kennedy – Private.
Served with distinction in the Hq1 Communications Platoon from July 3, 1944 to November 9, 1945.
Ray performed a critically sensitive and trusted function as the Battalion Commander’s personal radio operator. He functioned at the core of the battalion’s combat trials and accomplishments.
Ray served his country, raised a remarkable family and is highly respected in his community. He is a distinguished member of the “Greatest of the Greatest Generation.”
Consistent with the profile he presented in Hq1 during WW II, Ray
continues to be a quiet, modest man. His submission for the Hq1 album
consisted of his discharge from the Army. Apparently, the discharge contained all the data, Ray thought we ought to have.
Happily, an examination of Ray’s discharge shows he “Served Proudly.” Now hear the rest of the story as provided by his WW II comrades.
Ray was born September 10, 1925. He was raised in Baton Rouge, LA and entered the Army November 15, 1943. A few days after his 19th birthday, he parachuted into Holland, as a member of Hq1, 508th Para-chute Infantry Regiment (508th PIR).
The 508th PIR was participating in Operation Market-Garden, a massive assembly of American and British airborne and armored troops deployed to liberate the Netherlands. Ray landed near the City of Nijmegen.
Despite German infantry and anti-aircraft fire, Ray landed unscratched, retrieved his precious radio, and joined his battalion commander. That night they led the battalion into Nijmegen to capture the highway bridge over the Waal River. However, before the bridge could be taken, the
battalion was recalled to the drop zone area.
German infantry supported with 20 antiaircraft guns had occupied the area, and was waiting to destroy the hundreds of fragile gliders scheduled to land there at noon. The incoming gliders were carrying the 82nd Airborne Division artillery and engineer equipment, and ammunition.
The First Battalion launched a furious frontal attack into the direct fire of the German antiaircraft guns with the muzzles lowered to engage the | 
