

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Battery C, 2d
Battalion, 4th Artillery, 9th Infantry Division. Place
and date: West of Cai Lay,
Republic of Vietnam, 18 November 1967. Entered service at: Indianapolis, Ind. Born: 1
November 1946, Dayton, Ohio. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in
action at the risk of his life and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Davis (then PFc.) distinguished himself
during the early morning hours while serving as a cannoneer with Battery C, at
a remote fire support base. At
approximately 0200 hours, the fire support base was under heavy enemy mortar
attack. Simultaneously, an estimated reinforced
Viet Cong battalion launched a fierce ground assault upon the fire support
base. The attacking enemy drove to
within 25 meters of the friendly positions.
Only a river separated the Viet Cong from the fire support base.
Detecting a nearby enemy position, Sgt. Davis seized a machinegun and provided
covering fire for his guncrew, as they attempted to bring direct artillery fire
on the enemy. Despite his efforts, an
enemy recoilless rifle round scored a direct hit upon the artillery piece. The resultant blast hurled the guncrew from
their weapon and blew Sgt. Davis into a foxhole. He struggled to his feet and returned to the
howitzer, which was burning furiously.
Ignoring repeated warning to seek cover, Sgt. Davis rammed a shell into
the gun. Disregarding a withering hail
of enemy fire directed against his position, he aimed and fired the howitzer
which rolled backward, knocking Sgt. Davis violently to the ground. Undaunted, he returned to the weapon to fire
again when an enemy mortar round exploded within 20 meters of his position, injured
him painfully. Nevertheless, Sgt. Davis
loaded the artillery piect, aimed and fired.
Again he was knocked down by the recoil.
In complete disregard for his safety, Sgt. Davis loaded and fired 3 more
shells into the enemy. Disregarding his
extensive injuries and his inability to swim, Sgt. Davis picked up an air
mattress and struck out across the deep river to rescue 3 wounded comrades on
the far side. Upon reaching the 3
wounded men, he stood upright and fired into the dense vegetation to prevent
the Viet Cong from advancing. While the
most seriously wounded soldier was helped across the river, Sgt. Davis
protected the 2 remaining casualties until he could pull them across the river
to the fire support base. Though
suffering from painful wounds, he refused medical attention, joining another
howitzer crew which fired at the large Viet Cong force until it broke contact
and fled, Sgt. Davis’ extraordinary heroism, at the risk of his life, are in
keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great
credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.