“Live Life With A Purpose And Serve Others”: The Story Of Ray and Rich Enners

Richard Enners followed his older brother Ray to the United States Military Academy. Ray was three years older, and a star on the Army Lacrosse Team. After Ray graduated from West Point in 1967, he deployed to Vietnam and served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade, in the Americal Division. Rich Enners remembers the day, September 18, 1968, when his Tactical Officer came to his room to tell him that his older brother had been killed in Vietnam. Ray Enners was brought back to West Point and buried in the cemetery on post. Every day after that, Rich walked the mile to the cemetery to spend time at his brother’s gravesite. After graduation, Rich served in the military and then entered business, always reflecting on his brother’s life. In 2016, he wrote the book “Heart of Gray: Lt. Raymond ‘Iggy’ Enners, Courage and Sacrifice of a West Point Graduate in Vietnam,” about his brother. In this interview, Rich talks about his childhood, his family, playing sports with his brother, and attending West Point. He describes the day he heard about Ray’s death, and how that changed his life. He discusses his life after graduating from West Point, including his Army service and his business career. Finally, he reflects upon writing the book about his brother, the lessons he’s drawn from Ray’s life, and what West Point means to him.