Raymond Arnold McNees, 88, died Sunday, Nov. 15.

He was a resident of the Oregon Veterans Home.

He was born in Gibbon, NE, the youngest of six children to Carson and Nettie (Hite) McNees.

He was a World War II Army veteran. He fought in the Pacific Theater. He made the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and was a tank commander attached to the 1st Cavalry, 603rd Tank Division. He was in the first ‘tank to tank’ battle with the Japanese and made 11 landings, seven of which were ‘D Day’ landings. He was wounded three times in a 24-hour period and was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for Heroic Achievement in the battle for Manila.

He married Alma Ruth Silsby in 1942 at The Presidio in Monterey and they had four children together.

Mr. McNees, his wife, and their children were longtime residents of Knights Ferry. They purchased and ran the Knights Ferry Store in the early 1950s and he was Chief of the Knights Ferry Fire Department while his wife and children ran the store. His wife was also Postmaster of the Knights Ferry post office. After selling the store, he and his family lived in the area for several years.

He is survived by his daughters, Cherrie Abril of Green Valley, AZ, Kathleen Ruth of Sahuarita, AZ, and Judy Smith of Gresham, OR; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.

A private cremation was held at Win-Quatt Crematory in The Dalles, OR. A memorial service will be held at a later date in the spring.

Spencer, Libby, and Powell Funeral Home, Oregon, in charge of arrangements.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

Dec. 23, 2009