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engaged in a detached mission in support of minesweeping operations to clear the waters for entry of our heavy surface and amphibious forces preparatory to the invasion of
Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 6 January 1945. Operating without gun support of other surface ships when four Japanese
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s deadly fire sent the first target crashing into the water and caught the second as it passed close over the bridge to plunge into the sea off portside, he remained steadfast in the path of the third plane plunging swiftly to crash the after end of the bridge structure. Seriously wounded when the
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in the midst of the wreckage; he rallied his command to heroic efforts; he exhorted his officers and men to save the ship and, still on his feet, saw the barrage from his guns destroy the fourth suicide bomber. With the fires under control and the safety of the ship assured, he consented to be
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carried below. Succumbing several hours later, Commander Davis, by his example of valor and his unhesitating self-sacrifice, steeled the fighting spirit of his command into unyielding purpose in completing a vital mission. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
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shot down two, the third plane struck the ship, enveloping her bridge area in burning gasoline. Though horribly burned, Commander Davis remained on his feet, conned the ship, directed damage control efforts and saw to the destruction of the fourth suicide plane. Only when
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were detected flying low overland to attack simultaneously, Commander Davis boldly took his position in the exposed wings of the bridge and directed control to pick up the leading plane and open fire. Alert and fearless as the
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279:. While on that ship, he served as an aircraft gunnery observer with her embarked aviation units. From 1939 to 1941, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Davis served as an officer of the destroyer
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in late
November 1944. On 6 January 1945 his ship was covering minesweeping operations in advance of the Lingayen Gulf invasion when she was attacked by four Japanese
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For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as
Commanding Officer of the U.S.S.
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For his conduct, Commander Davis was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His body was buried at sea.
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s survival was assured did he relinquish his post to be taken below, where he died a short time later.
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in 1930 and graduated in May 1934. Ensign Davis' first duty station was the new heavy cruiser
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Following promotion to the rank of lieutenant in mid-1941 he was assigned to the battleship
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plane struck, drenched with gasoline and immediately enveloped in flames, he conned the
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Commander George F. Davis' official Medal of Honor citation is as follows:
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In
January 1942, Lieutenant Davis was transferred to the light cruiser
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officer and a recipient of
America's highest military decoration, the
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United States Navy personnel killed in World War II
703:List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II
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334:, in which he participated in operations in the
723:"Commander George Fleming Davis Medal of Honor"
880:World War II recipients of the Medal of Honor
875:United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients
311:, which was sunk on December 7, 1941, when
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16:United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient
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905:American expatriates in the Philippines
748:"Valor Awards for George Fleming Davis"
870:Foreign-born Medal of Honor recipients
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794:Naval Historical Center (2004-12-31).
727:The National WWII Museum | New Orleans
223:(March 23, 1911 – January 6, 1945) in
672:, 1957–1994, was named in his honor.
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829:Naval History and Heritage Command
827:from websites or documents of the
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698:List of Medal of Honor recipients
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587:Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
559:American Defense Service Medal
346:, and the campaign to recover
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885:Recipients of the Silver Star
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251:George F. Davis was born in
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900:United States Navy officers
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612:Philippine Liberation Medal
265:United States Naval Academy
263:Davis was appointed to the
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35:Commander George F. Davis
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299:Outbreak of World War II
620:Medal of Honor citation
580:American Campaign Medal
860:People who died at sea
825:public domain material
772:"George Fleming Davis"
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554:Navy Unit Commendation
317:attack on Pearl Harbor
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239:, for actions during
150:Years of service
68:(aged 33)
547:Combat Action Ribbon
386:His awards include:
221:George Fleming Davis
23:George Fleming Davis
255:on March 23, 1911.
776:Together We Served
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233:United States Navy
144:United States Navy
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807:. Retrieved
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729:. 2021-01-13
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66:(1945-01-06)
850:1945 deaths
845:1911 births
564:Fleet Clasp
525:Silver Star
340:Guadalcanal
321:Pacific War
319:opened the
259:Navy career
231:. He was a
229:Philippines
205:Silver Star
839:Categories
809:2006-08-07
781:2023-03-16
757:2023-03-16
733:2024-06-12
709:References
537:Combat "V"
275:Tuscaloosa
247:Early life
112:Allegiance
47:1911-03-23
666:USS
366:. Though
364:Kamikazes
356:USS
328:USS
305:USS
289:USS
281:USS
273:USS
267:from the
177:USS
167:Commander
78:USS
676:See also
352:Honolulu
342:and the
330:Honolulu
307:Oklahoma
173:Commands
130:Service/
595:⁄
590:w/ two
571:⁄
291:Hopkins
72:†
660:Legacy
647:Walke'
373:Walke'
283:Broome
253:Manila
225:Manila
197:Awards
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132:branch
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87:, off
54:Manila
668:Davis
652:Walke
637:Walke
368:Walke
358:Walke
313:Japan
179:Walke
104:Luzon
89:Luzon
80:Walke
348:Guam
158:Rank
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61:Died
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