In Loving Memory...

Uncle Ray

Ray Everette McGehee graduated from Tulane University in 1948, served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1952 as a technical engineer during World War II and the Korean War. He received the distinguished Flying Cross Medal for his courageous actions during the battle of Normandy. He retired from Kaiser Aluminum in 1983.


I don't remember my uncle talking about his time in the military that much. In fact, I knew very little about it until my brother got old enough to ask more questions. The picture above shows Uncle Ray standing on the wing of his aircraft pointing to a hole in his turret. I'll let him explain as he did in a letter back then...

"That hole in the turret is where a 20mm hit. My guns were in a different position than what you see now. It came on the inside & blew the side off one of my guns. That is the only thing that saved me for my head is just on the other side of the gun! All it did to me was get a little glass in my eyes and face. This is the same time our Radio Man was killed."

My Uncle Ray, 83, passed away at his house in Baton Rouge this weekend. Always fun to be around... I distinctly remember watching 'Road Runner and Coyote' with my uncle in his living room. He would have been in his recliner laughing along like one of the kids!! Uncle Ray was also very generous...the type to slip you a few dollars behind your parents back because he knew they wouldn't let you accept it. My Uncle Ray's one of the most genuine individuals I've ever known and will be lovingly missed by all!!