NAME: Raymond F. Ruyffelaere
ASN: O-25814
PLACE OF BIRTH: ????, MA
DATE OF BIRTH: 08 Nov 1917
DATES OF SERVICE: ?? Jan 1943 - ?? ??? 196?
UNIT ASSIGNED:
C Company, 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion
Headquarters Company, 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division (Korean War)
Military Assistance Advisory Group (Vietnam)
CAMPAIGNS: Southern France, Ardennes-Alsace
AWARDS: Combat Infantrymen Badge (WWII) 2nd Award (Korea), Parachutist Badge with combat jump star, Legion of Merit Medal, Silver Star Medal (Korean War), Bronze Star Medal (WWII) with bronze oak leaf cluster (Korea), Air Medal (Vietnam), Purple Heart Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster (WWII) second bronze oak leaf cluster (Korea), EAME Campaign Medal with arrowhead device and bronze campaign star, WWII Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal
SUMMARY OF SERVICE:
?? Jan 1943 - Graduated West Point
Graduated from the Parachute School
Assigned to the 509th Parachute Infantry in Italy
15 Aug 1944 - Participated in Operation DRAGOON (RUGBY) the airborne invasion of Southern France - Lt Ruyffelaere is mentioned for being able to speak fluent French and talks with the resistance in St. Tropez. Listed in the book Stand in the Door page 264
Lt Raymond F. Ruyffelaere O-25814 C Co, 509th PIB Southern France, page 107, in the book First Airborne Task Force by Michel De Trez
Lt Raymond F. Ruyffelaere O-25814 HHC, 509th PIB S-2 Battalion Intelligence Officer, Southern France, page 107 in the book First Airborne Task Force by Michel De Trez
18 Sep 1944 - 1st Lt. Raymond F. Ruyffelaere O-25814 509th PIB SO 8 Appointed as TJA of Court Martial Lantosque, France
02 Oct 1944 - Wounded in Action
15 Oct 1944 - 1st Lt. Raymond F. Ruyffelaere O-25814 HHC 509th PIB Pawtucket, RI - GO # 17 Under the provisions of AR 600-45, dated 22 September 1943, the Purple Heart is awarded to the following for wounds received in action against the enemy: RAYMOND F. RUYFFELAERE, O-25814, 1st Lt., Inf. Hq Co, 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion, Southern France, 2 October 1944. Entered service from Pawtucket, Rhode Island. page 1
01 Nov 1944 - 1st Lt. Raymond F. Ruyffelaere O-25814 509th PIB SO 63 Appointed as TJA of Court Martial Lantosque, France
23 Dec 1944 - Wounded in Action
12 Feb 1945 - 1st Lt. Raymond F. Ruyffelaire O-25814 HHC 509th PIB Pawtucket, RI - GO # 6 Under the provisions of AR 600-45, dated 22 September 1943, the Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster is awarded in addition to the Purple Heart previously awarded to the following for wounds received in action against the enemy: RAYMOND F. RUYFFELAIRE, O-25814, 1st Lt., Hq Co, 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion, 23 December 1944, Belgium. Entered service from Pawtucket, R.I. page 3
18 Jul 1948 - 1st Lt. Raymond F. Ruyffelaere O-25814 Washington DC LIST C on Reunion Roll
Marries Captain Hannah J. Ashby who was a WAAC from 1942 to 1948. She served at Fort Sam Houston as Commander of the HHC, 30th WAAC. Later deployed to North Africa.
Captain Raymond Ruffelaere serves in the Korean War
06 Feb 1954 - Major Raymond F. Ruyffelaere is awarded the Silver Star Medal, Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 18 (February 6, 1954)
CITATION: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Infantry), [then Captain] Raymond Francis Ruyffelaere (ASN: 0-25814), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, United States Army. During the night of 13 June and early morning hours of 14 June 1953, in the vicinity of Chat-kol, Korea, the right flank of Company F was attacked by a numerically superior enemy force. Despite the heavy defensive fire, the attacking force penetrated the main line of resistance and the Battalion reserve company was ordered into action. Aware that the company commander's knowledge of the area to be occupied had been acquired through map reconnaissance only, Major Ruyffelaere voluntarily guided the unit into position. Following this, he observed that supporting mortar elements were inactive and immediately rushed to their position. Disregarding the constant enemy artillery and mortar barrages, Major Ruyffelaere aggressively re-employed the mortar sections and directed their fire upon the advancing enemy. Returning to the main line of resistance, he was informed of a serious ammunition shortage among elements in combat on the right flank. Climbing from the trench, he courageously initiated and supervised a supply line which rapidly relayed the critically-needed ammunition from a left flank supply point to the hard-fighting defenders. Major Ruyffelaere valiantly remained atop the parapet throughout this operation despite the intense enemy supporting fire. His inspirational leadership and ability to analyze critical situations accurately and rapidly were instrumental in the ensuing defeat of the enemy assault. Major Ruyffelaere's outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. (This award supersedes the award of the Bronze Star Medal with Letter "V" device to Major Raymond F. Ruyffelaere for heroic achievement from 14 June to 15 June 1953 as published in General Orders 324, this headquarters, dated 9 August 1953.)
1964 - Served as a Military Assistance Advisor
1964 - Awarded Air Medal
?? ??? 196? - Retired as a Colonel
18 Oct 1999 - Passed away
Book: The Operations of C Company, 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion at St Tropez, Southern France 15 -16 August 1944 (Southern France Campaign): (personal Experience of a Platoon Leader)(ALL IMAGES AND INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE IS PROPERTY OF THE FAMILY AND MAY NOT BE USED WITHOUT PERMISSION. PLEASE CONTACT THE WEBMASTER AT THE E-MAIL BELOW)
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