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RAYNMOND K. MULHERN

b. 6 October 1921 d. 18 August 2011

 

Ray Mulhern was born and raised in Woodward, Iowa, in 1921, Ray enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and served in the original Underwater Demolition Teams, forerunners of today’s Navy Seals.  A long term Lakeside resident, until shortly after the death of his second wife, Ray was an active member of the American Legion Post #7 in Chapala. Over a life-long career as a marketing executive with Ford Motor Company he lived in Detroit, Green Bay and Pittsburgh.  He is survived by a son and a step-daughter.

Ray’s battle stars while serving in UDT-10 included the bloodbath of Peleliu/Angaur, the capture of Ulithi Atoll, the Philippine landings at Leyte Gulf and later, Lingayen Gulf and the final assault on Manila. He and his team were ashore at Leyte to witness General Douglas MacArthur’s famous photo-op performance when he waded ashore from a landing craft at Leyte.

MULHERN, Raymond K.
B.M. 1c [Boatswain’s Mate, First Class], USCGR

Bronze Star

For meritorious achievement as a member of an assault unit participating in the landing on Angaur, Palau Islands in September 1944, when in the face of enemy rifle, machine gun and mortar fire he bravely prepared the way for the operations of combat troops contributing greatly to the success of this hazardous mission.                                                                               

On Thursday October Sixth at 3pm at the Chapala American Legion there will be a last tattoo for Raymond Mulhern. He would have been 90 years old.