Bobby Ray Poare was born November 9, 1932, in Santa Cruz County to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Poare. Information regarding his birth, family and early life is not available. Poare spent his formative years in the Pajaro Valley and attended local elementary schools; however, because his home was located on the Monterey County side of the Pajaro River, he attended Salinas High School. Later the family moved to Salinas.

About June 1950, Poare enlisted in the US Marine Corps and was sent to Camp Pendleton to complete his basic and school-of-infantry training. After completing training in August 1950, he was promoted to Private First Class and assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines of the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade.

Poare's unit sailed from San Diego July 12-14, 1950, arrived in Japan July 31 and was deployed to Korea upon arrival. On August 2, 1950, the unit experienced combat for the first time while defending the Pusan Perimeter at Masan.

On the first of September, during the North Korea Peoples Army (NKPA) final push, the marines were sent to assist the US Army 9th Infantry in the vicinity of Yongstan. During the fighting that occurred on September 1, 1950, Private First Class Bobby Ray Poare was killed in action.

The location of his remains has not been identified. His awards include the Purple Heart.

(CBR; WRP July 11, 1952 1:1, December 1, 1950 1:5 ABMC, the Korean War Almanac, 5th Marines, 1st Provisional Brigade)