Posted by Terry Powers on November 19, 2022:

COL US ARMY WORLD WAR II, KOREA, VIETNAM Published Jul 13, 2012 in "The Tombstone News" Tombstone, Arizona. Colonel Raymond R. Battreall, 3d US Cavalry (Ret) rode to Fiddler's Green on July 6, 2012. Born in St. Joseph, MO 19 September 1926, Ray graduated from Central High School in Omaha, NE in 1944. Enlisting in the Army Air Corps, he served at Sheppard Field, TX before attending the US Military Academy at West Point where he graduated in 1949 with a bachelor's degree and a commission as 2LT, Cavalry. He received his master's degree from the U of PA in 1956 and graduated from the Army War College in 1971. COL Battreall commanded units from platoon through squadron in the 14th, 11th, and 3d Armored Cavalry Regiments in Germany and the US, served as a staff officer with the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea, fought for 3 1/2 years as senior advisor to the Republic of Viet Nam Armor Force, served as secretary of the joint staff at US Southern Command in Panama, and completed 16 1/2 years of overseas service as deputy chief of our military mission to Saudi Arabia. In between, he returned twice to West Point: once as an English Professor and once as a regimental-level tactical officer. His final assignment was as director of armor doctrine at Ft. Knox where he helped develop the combined-arms doctrine used in Operation Desert Storm before retiring in 1979 with almost 36 years total service. His decorations include four Legion of Merit, three Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, three Meritorious Service Medals, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, two Vietnamese Distinguished Service Orders., Gallantry Cross, VN Honor Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and VN Armor Badge. A Sierra Vista resident since 1980, Ray was executive director of the Tombstone Chamber of Commerce in 1980-1, an instructor at Cochise College in 1982-4, chairman of the Cochise County Republican Committee in 1985-90, delegate to the 1988 Republican National Convention, and active precinct committeeman until the end. He was also active in the Assn of the US Army (Bd of Directors); Retired Officers' Assn (past president ); the Sierra Vista Chamber of Commerce's Legislative Affairs, Military Affairs, and Tourism Committees; and served as mediator / arbitrator for the Cochise County Superior Court. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ann; 6 grown children, Leigh Norris, Sarah Battreall, Kathy Carroll, Patrick, Kevin and Danny Hannigan; 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

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