Sergeant Ray’s ‘Always Faithful’ combat boots

The Poplar Bluff Museum has tales of us, our family, and our history. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.

Except for his weapon, the infantryman’s most important piece of equipment is his boots. A pair of worn-in boots, broken in by miles of road marches and a pair of dry socks, will win a battle. Benjamin Franklin said “For the want of a shoe the horse was lost; for the want of a horse the battle was lost.” Whether the shoe is on a horse or an infantryman makes no difference.

An experienced “Grunt” will take care of his feet before he eats, sleeps or bathes. The Marines who fought at the Korean Chosin Reservoir will attest to the importance of their feet.

The Marine Corps believes in “standard issue.” That is where every Marine is issued the same equipment that is rugged, reliable and combat tested. “Non-standard” equipment is not authorized.

When the war on terror erupted across the Middle East, the Marine Corps made an exception to their policy to keep up with modern technology. To improve the infantryman’s combat effectiveness, Marines were authorized to purchase civilian high tech “Bates” Gore-Tex nylon combat boots.

Charles Ray joined the Marines in 2004 before he even graduated from Poplar Bluff High School. He couldn’t wait to serve his country. After completing the grueling Marine Corps School of Infantry, he found himself on his way to Iraq in 2006.

Cpl. Ray quickly went out and purchased a pair of Bates combat boots. He found himself fighting street to street, house to house, and hand to hand in the toughest urban combat the Marines had seen since fighting for the Citadel in Hue Vietnam during the 1968 Tet Offensive. One slip, one fall, one twisted ankle or bloody blister could mean life or death.

Cpl. Ray’s combat boots gave him the sure footing to close with and destroy the enemy. His rifle and boots brought him home safely from “Operation Iraqi Freedom.”

“Semper Fidelis” is the Marine Corps motto. It is Latin for “Always Faithful.” That applies to many things, including equipment. In 2008, Sgt. Ray went overseas again, this time to Afghanistan. He brought his combat proven, “Always Faithful” pair of boots with him. This time the Marines were fighting a new enemy in a new environment.

Sgt. Ray’s boots helped him chase the Taliban up and down mountains, through valleys and across deserts. He put rigorous miles and miles on his faithful boots and they served him well. He returned from “Operation Enduring Freedom” safe and sound, still wearing his original Bates combat boots.

When you look at an American hero, look at what he’s wearing. He’s wearing combat boots. Those boots are the foundation of American courage that defends this nation. Sgt. Ray’s legendary combat boots are veterans of two wars. He donated them to the Poplar Bluff Museum. We proudly display them in the “Global War on Terror” exhibit in the Kanell Hall Veterans Museum.

Sgt. Ray returned to Afghanistan for a third combat tour in 2010. In addition to his faithful boots, Sgt. Ray’s uniform, Commendations for Valor and Purple Heart are also on display.

The Museum is open from 1-4 p.m. every Sunday, free of charge, at 1010 Main Street, Poplar Bluff (Formerly the Old Mark Twain School). Tell them Mike sent you!

Mike Shane is a veteran who also served as an infantry sergeant in the Rangers, a Poplar Bluff resident and board member of the Poplar Bluff Museum.