Beloved Kern County World War II veteran Ray Mish dies at 99

Jacqueline Gutierrez
·1 min read

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Kern County veteran Ray Mish died at 99, days after being recognized by his Vietnam Rat Pack.

David Mish, Ray Mish’s son, told 17 News he died Wednesday morning at home.

17 News previously reported Mish was weeks away from his 100th birthday on April 24. Just days before his death, the dozen members of Bakersfield’s Vietnam Rat Pack converged on his home in north Bakersfield. Mish had asked to see them.

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One after another, they approached his bedside and whispered their gratitude for his friendship, his leadership and the gift of his time. Then they sang “Happy Birthday,” and repeated the Lord’s Prayer.

In 1947, Mish moved to Bakersfield and worked for two local mortuaries. He married his high school sweetheart and they had a daughter and a son.

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