Today our walk was dedicated in honor of :
Army MSGT Raymond Henry Cooley, Age 30 of Dunlap, TN.
Died Mar. 12, 1947
Raymond Henry Cooley of Dunlap, Tennessee, was a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II on this day in 1945.
Cooley joined the Army in September 1941, and by February 24th, 1945 was serving as a staff sergeant in Company B, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. On that day, he voluntarily advanced alone under heavy fire to attack the enemy guns with hand grenades. His squad joined later joined him, inspired by his actions. As he armed another grenade, six enemy soldiers rushed at him. Knowing he could not dispose of the grenade before it exploded and injured his comrades, he smothered the grenade with his body and was severely wounded but survived.
For his actions on this day, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Cooley’s life after the war was brief and tragic. He died from a fatal car accident in March 1947. Highway 28 between Jasper and I-24 in Tennessee is now officially named the Raymond H. Cooley Highway.
His Medal of Honor citation reads:
“He was a platoon guide in an assault on a camouflaged entrenchment defended by machineguns, rifles, and mortars. When his men were pinned down by 2 enemy machineguns, he voluntarily advanced under heavy fire to within 20 yards of 1 of the guns and attacked it with a hand grenade. The enemy, however, threw the grenade back at him before it could explode. Arming a second grenade, he held it for several seconds of the safe period and then hurled it into the enemy position, where it exploded instantaneously, destroying the gun and crew. He then moved toward the remaining gun, throwing grenades into enemy foxholes as he advanced. Inspired by his actions, 1 squad of his platoon joined him. After he had armed another grenade and was preparing to throw it into the second machinegun position, 6 enemy soldiers rushed at him. Knowing he could not dispose of the armed grenade without injuring his comrades, because of the intermingling in close combat of the men of his platoon and the enemy in the melee which ensued, he deliberately covered the grenade with his body and was severely wounded as it exploded. By his heroic actions, S/Sgt. Cooley not only silenced a machinegun and so inspired his fellow soldiers that they pressed the attack and destroyed the remaining enemy emplacements, but also, in complete disregard of his own safety, accepted certain injury and possible loss of life to avoid wounding his comrades.”
We are eternally thankful for Master Sergeant Cooley’s service to our country. Rest in peace, Sir.
He is buried in the Cumberland View Cemetery.
We had a great 5.17 Mile walk this morning in Dunlap Tennessee. We parked at the Sequatchie County Veterans Memorial Park and then walked north . On our way back to the park we found a trail and walked it a little ways. We then walked out to the Memorial Gardens and visited several of our Fallen Brothers. We then headed back to the Veterans Memorial Park. It was a beautiful walk. The surrounding mountains were just breath taking. I want to thank my friend Robert for walking with us. I want to thank everyone who honked , waved, and or saluted in helping us honor this hero. We had 35 honks. It was amazing. Thank you.
Army MSGT Raymond Henry Cooley will not be forgotten !
