We have Lieutenant Blakely listed on the 437th TCG Special Orders #195, dated 27 December 1943. These were the orders generated at Pope Field (Fort Bragg, NC) for the first phase of movement by air and by rail of the 437th personnel to their eventual overseas deployment. In Frank Guild's book: 'Action of the Tiger’' Ray is identified as the assistant Statistical Officer of the 437th.

Ray was a member of the 437th TCG Association and appeared on their rosters from 1972 until 2004; he attended several of the association's reunions.