Raymond G. Davis
Raymond Gilbert "Ray" Davis was a United States Marine Corps four-star-general who had served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Davis was decorated several times, he was awarded the Navy Cross during World War II and the Medal of Honor during the Korean War. While serving as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, he retired with over 33 years service in the Marine Corps on March 31, 1972.
General Davis had a close association with Marine Corps legend, Chesty Puller, having served with General Puller on Guadalcanal during World War II and in Korea during the Korean War. A middle school was built and named the "General Ray Davis Middle School", in 2006, in Conyers, Georgia, near Stockbridge, where he had resided.
Early years
General Davis was born on January 13, 1915, in Fitzgerald, Georgia, and graduated in 1933 from Atlanta Technical High School, Atlanta, Georgia. He then entered the Georgia Institute of Technology, graduating in 1938 with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. While in college he was a member of the ROTC unit. After graduation, he resigned his commission in the U. S. Army Infantry Reserve to accept appointment as a Marine Corps second lieutenant on June 27, 1938.Marine Corps career
1939–1942
In May 1939, Second Lieutenant Davis completed the Marine Officers' Basic School at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, and began a year of service with the Marine detachment on board the in the Pacific. He returned to shore duty in July 1940 for weapons and artillery instruction at Quantico, Virginia, and Aberdeen, Maryland. Completing the training in February 1941, he was assigned to the 1st Antiaircraft Machine Gun Battery, 1st Marine Division at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He returned to the United States with the unit in April, and the following month was appointed battery executive officer, serving in that capacity at Parris Island, South Carolina, and Quantico. He was promoted to first lieutenant in August 1941. That September, he moved with the battery to the Marine Barracks, New River, North Carolina. Upon his promotion to captain in February 1942, he was named battery commander.World War II
During World War II, Captain Davis participated in the Guadalcanal-Tulagi landings, the capture and defense of Guadalcanal, the Eastern New Guinea and Cape Gloucester campaigns, and the Peleliu operation.Beginning in June 1942, he embarked with his unit for the Pacific area, landing at Guadalcanal two months later. After that campaign, he was appointed executive officer of the 1st Special Weapons Battalion, 1st Marine Division. He was promoted to major on February 28, 1943. In October of that year, Major Davis took over command of the battalion and served in that capacity at New Guinea and Cape Gloucester. In April 1944, while on Cape Gloucester, he was named commanding officer, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
Major Davis' extraordinary heroism while commanding the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines at Peleliu in September 1944 earned him the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart Medal. During the first hour of the Peleliu landing he was wounded. He refused evacuation, and on one occasion, due to heavy Marine casualties and point-blank Japanese cannon fire, the Japanese broke through, he personally rallied and led his men in fighting to re-establish defensive positions. In October 1944, he returned to Pavuvu and was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
1944–1950
Returning to the United States in November 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Davis was assigned to Quantico as Tactical Inspector, Marine Corps Schools. He was named Chief of the Infantry Section, Marine Air-Infantry School, Quantico, in May 1945, and served in that post for two years before returning to the Pacific area in July 1947 to serve with the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade on Guam. He was the 1st Brigade's assistant chief of staff, G-3, until August 1948, and from then until May 1949, was assistant chief of staff, G-4. Upon his return from Guam in May 1949, he was named Inspector-Instructor of the 9th Marine Corps Reserve Infantry Battalion in Chicago, Illinois. He served there until August 1950 when he embarked for Korea.Korean War
In Korea, Lt. Col. Davis commanded the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, from August to December 1950. During this time one of his men described him as, "...from Georgia and soft spoken. No gruff, no bluff. Never talked down to you and made you feel comfortable in his presence.""During the 1st Marine Division's fight to break out of the Chosin Reservoir area in North Korea during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir on December 1, 1950, Lt. Col. Davis led his battalion in and through fierce firefights with the Chinese army from Yudam-ni to Hagru-ri. Lt. Col. Davis led in front of his men all the way... marching his battalion at night over mountains in a driving snowstorm, he rescued and saved Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment from annihilation at the Toktong Pass. This action also opened the blocked mountain pass to Hagaru-ri allowing two trapped Marine regiments to escape and link up with the rest of the 1st Division at Hagaru-ri. He was recommended for the Medal of Honor. The medal was presented to Lt. Col. Davis by President Harry S. Truman in a White House ceremony on November 24, 1952.
Lt. Col. Davis was also awarded two Silver Star Medals for gallantry in action, exposing himself to heavy enemy fire while leading and encouraging his men in the face of strong enemy opposition. He received the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for exceptionally meritorious conduct and professional skill in welding the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines into a highly effective combat team. Later, as executive officer of the 7th Marines, from December 1950 to June 1951, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for his part in rebuilding the 7th regiment in Korea after the Chosin Reservoir campaign. He returned to the United States in June 1951 and was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C.
1952–1959
Lt. Col. Davis served with Headquarters Marine Corps at the Pentagon until June 1954. Lt. Col. Davis served in the Operations Subsection, G-3, Division of Plans and Policies, until February 1952, when he took charge of the subsection. In April 1953, he became head of the Operations and Training Branch, G-3 Division. While serving in this capacity, he was promoted to full colonel in October 1953.The following July, Colonel Davis attended the Special Weapons Employment Course, Fleet Training Center, Norfolk, Virginia, under instruction. In September 1954, he entered the Senior Course, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico. Upon completing the course in June 1955, he served consecutively as assistant director and, later, director, of the Senior School. In October 1957, he was again transferred to Washington, D. C., and served there as Assistant G-2, Headquarters Marine Corps, until August 1959.
1960–1966
In June 1960, Colonel Davis completed the course at the National War College in Washington, D.C. Assigned next to Headquarters, United States European Command, in Paris, France, he served from July 1960 through June 1963, as chief, Analysis Branch, J-2, Staff of the Commander in Chief, Europe. On July 1, 1963, he was promoted to brigadier general while en route to the United States.Brigadier General Davis' next assignment was in the Far East, where he served as assistant division commander, 3rd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, on Okinawa, from October 1963 to November 1964. During this period, he also performed additional duty as commanding general, SEATO Expeditionary Brigade, EXLIGTAS, in the Philippines, during June 1964; and as commanding general, 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, in China Sea Contingency Operations, from August 2, to October 16, 1964.
In December 1964, he was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps. He served as assistant director of personnel until March 1965, then served as assistant chief of staff, G-1, until March 1968. For his service in the latter capacity, he was awarded a second Legion of Merit medal. He was promoted to major general in November 1966.
Vietnam War
In March 1968, Major General Davis was sent to the Republic of Vietnam and served until May 1968 as the Deputy Commanding General of the Provisional Corps in South Vietnam. He then became commanding general, 3rd Marine Division until April 1969. When he took command of the division, he ordered Marine units to move out of their combat bases and engage the enemy. He had noted that the manning of the bases and the defensive posture they had developed was contrary to their normally aggressive style of fighting. As part of this change in tactics, he would order Operation Dewey Canyon in early 1969 to engage the NVA in the A Shau Valley. During this battle, his son Miles Davis, a rifle company platoon commander in K Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, was wounded in action. For his service as commanding general of the 3rd Marine Division from May 22, 1968, until April 14, 1969, he was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. The South Vietnam government awarded him several decorations including three Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses.1969–1972
In May 1969, Major General Davis was assigned duty as deputy for education with additional duty as director, Education Center, Marine Corps Development and Education Command, Quantico, Virginia. After his promotion to lieutenant general on July 1, 1970, he was reassigned duty as commanding general, Marine Corps Development and Education Command.On February 23, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon nominated Lieutenant General Davis for appointment to the grade of general and assignment to the position of Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate and he received his fourth star on March 12, 1971. General Davis served as Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps until he retired from active duty on March 31, 1972.
Military awards
Davis' decorations and awards include:| Medal of Honor | Navy Cross | Navy Distinguished Service Medal w/ " Gold Star |
| Silver Star w/ one " Gold Star | Legion of Merit w/ Combat "V" and " Gold Star | Bronze Star w/ Combat "V" |
| Purple Heart | Combat Action Ribbon w/ one " Gold Star | Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation w/ three " Bronze Stars |
| Navy Unit Commendation w/ one " Bronze Star | American Defense Service Medal w/ Fleet Clasp | American Campaign Medal |
| Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ one " Silver Star | World War II Victory Medal | National Defense Service Medal w/ one " Bronze Star |
| Korean Service Medal w/ four " Bronze Stars | Vietnam Service Medal w/ three " Bronze Stars | National Order of Vietnam Officer |
| National Order of Vietnam Knight | Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order 2nd Class | Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ three Palms |
| Vietnam Public Health Service Medal, 1st class | Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation w/ service star | Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation w/ Palm and Frame |
| United Nations Korea Medal | Vietnam Campaign Medal | Republic of Korea War Service Medal |
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Vicinity Hagaru-ri, Korea, 1 through 4 December, 1950. Entered service at: Atlanta, Ga. Born: January 13, 1915, Fitzgerald, Ga.Citation:
Navy Cross citation
Citation:First Silver Star citation
Citation:The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Gilbert Davis, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy in Korea during the period 2 November to 8 November 1950. Lieutenant Colonel Davis was serving as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division on 3 November 1950. At about 0130, 3 November the enemy conducted a fierce, coordinated night attack against the First Battalion, Seventh Marines. Lieutenant Colonel Davis moved from point to point on the line wherever there was danger of the enemy breaking through, continually exposing himself to heavy enemy small arms and mortar fire without personal regard for his own safety. His display of leadership, initiative and courage was a constant inspiration to the officers and men about him. It was through his actions that the lines held and the enemy was repulsed. During the daylight hours of 3 November Lieutenant Colonel Davis maneuvered elements of his command in such a manner as to route the enemy. Once again Lieutenant Colonel Davis' display of leadership and courage acted as an inspiration to the officers and men of his command. It was a direct result of Lieutenant Colonel Davis' actions that the First Battalion was able to break through and continue the attack in its zone of action.
Second Silver Star citation
Citation:The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Gilbert Davis, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 30 September 1950. Assigned the task of seizing two hills located at the southern end of the Seoul-Uijongbu corridor, Lieutenant Colonel Davis boldly led his battalion against a well-entrenched enemy force in the face of hostile small-arms, automatic-weapons and mortar fire. Keenly aware that the unit had been assembled and organized only six weeks previously and that this was its first attack, he advanced with the assault elements and, moving from platoon to platoon to encourage the men, inspired his battalion to rout the enemy and capture its objective quickly. By his marked courage, brilliant leadership and steadfast devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Davis upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Other honors
- In 2003, General Davis was awarded the James A. Van Fleet Award by the Korea Society.
- The building that houses the Marine Corps Combat Development Command at Marine Corps Base Quantico is named the "General Raymond G. Davis Center".
- In 2007, Ray Davis Middle school celebrated its inaugural year.
Death