Lieutenant Colonel George A. Davis, Jr.
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) and U.S. Air Force
(USAF) Fighter Pilot and Ace
 Background
George Andrew Davis, Jr. was born on December 1, 1920 in Dublin, Texas. Nicknamed "Curly" because he had straight black hair. He attended one year of college and worked as a farm hand before enlisting in the U.S. Army reserves as a private with serial number 18075199. On March 21, 1942 joined the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) at Lubbock, Texas and completed flight school. On February 16, 1943 earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-671514 and was sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).
World War II Pacific Theater Service
On August 30, 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 348th Fighter Group (348th FG), 342nd Fighter Squadron (342nd FS) "Scourgers" flying the P-47D Thunderbolt from Finschafen Airfield.
On December 31, 1943 on a mission over Arawe his formation intercepted attacking D3A2 Val dive bombers escorted by A6M Zeros. During the air combat, Davis claimed a Val shot down after it completed its bomb run. On February 3, 1944 he claimed his second aerial victory for a Ki-61 Tony over Wewak and was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant.
Aerial Victory Claims World War II South West Pacific Area (SWPA)
Davis was officially credited with seven aerial victories in between December 31, 1943 to December 23, 1944.
Korean War Service
 On February 15, 1951 promoted to the rank of Major. During August 1951 transfered to the 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing (4th FIW). In October 1951 he became Commanding Officer C.O. of the 334th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (334th FIS) with a total of 2,243 hours as a pilot.
Missing In Action
On February 10, 1952 took off piloting F-86 Sabre 51-2752 on a interception mission over the Sinuiju-Yalu River area and claimed two MiG-15s shot down before he was hit and crashed. When he failed to return, Davis was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA) and later earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously.
Aerial Victory Claims Korean War
Davis was officially credited with fourteen aerial victories flying the F-86 Sabre between November 4, 1951 until February 10, 1952 when he went Missing In Action (MIA).
| Victory |
Date |
Location |
Aircraft |
Notes on claim |
| 1 |
11/27/51 |
|
MiG-15 |
First aerial victory claim. |
| 2 |
11/27/51 |
|
MiG-15 |
Second aerial victory claim. |
| 3 |
11/30/51 |
|
Tu-2 |
Third aerial victory claim. |
| 4 |
11/30/51 |
|
Tu-2 |
Fourth aerial victory claim. |
| 5 |
11/30/51 |
|
Tu-2 |
Fifth aerial victory claim became an "jet ace". |
| 6 |
11/30/51 |
|
MiG-15 |
Sixth aerial victory claim. |
| 7 |
12/05/51 |
|
MiG-15 |
Seventh aerial victory claim. |
| 8 |
12/05/51 |
|
MiG-15 |
Eighth aerial victory claim. |
| 9 |
12/13/51 |
|
MiG-15 |
Ninth aerial victory claim. |
| 10 |
12/13/51 |
|
MiG-15 |
Tenth aerial victory claim became an "double jet ace". |
| 11 |
12/13/51 |
|
MiG-15 |
Eleventh aerial victory claim. |
| 12 |
12/13/51 |
|
MiG-15 |
Twelfth aerial victory claim. |
| 13 |
02/10/52 |
Tong Dang-dong |
MiG-15 |
Thirteenth aerial victory claim. |
| 14 |
02/10/52 |
Tong Dang-dong |
MiG-15 |
Fourteenth aerial victory claim afterwards hit and crashed. |
Awards
Davis is one of the few pilots who became an ace in both propeller aircraft and jet aircraft in two wars. His combined total of seven victories from World War II plus fourteen victories in the Korean War gave him a combined total of 21 aerial victories.
Medal of Honor Citation Posthumous
 Citation: "Maj. Davis distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While leading a flight of 4 F-86 Saberjets on a combat aerial patrol mission near the Manchurian border, Maj. Davis' element leader ran out of oxygen and was forced to retire from the flight with his wingman accompanying him. Maj. Davis and the remaining F-86's continued the mission and sighted a formation of approximately 12 enemy MIG-15 aircraft speeding southward toward an area where friendly fighter-bombers were conducting low level operations against the Communist lines of communications. With selfless disregard for the numerical superiority of the enemy, Maj. Davis positioned his 2 aircraft, then dove at the MIG formation. While speeding through the formation from the rear he singled out a MIG-15 and destroyed it with a concentrated burst of fire. Although he was now under continuous fire from the enemy fighters to his rear, Maj. Davis sustained his attack. He fired at another MIG-15 which, bursting into smoke and flames, went into a vertical dive. Rather than maintain his superior speed and evade the enemy fire being concentrated on him, he elected to reduce his speed and sought out still a third MIG-15. During this latest attack his aircraft sustained a direct hit, went out of control, then crashed into a mountain 30 miles south of the Yalu River. Maj. Davis' bold attack completely disrupted the enemy formation, permitting the friendly fighter-bombers to successfully complete their interdiction mission. Maj. Davis, by his indomitable fighting spirit, heroic aggressiveness, and superb courage in engaging the enemy against formidable odds exemplified valor at its highest." |
Memorials
Davis was officially presumed dead the day of the mission. He
earned the Congressional Medal of Honor, posthumously. Also, the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Silver Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters, Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. On April 15, 1953 while still listed as Missing In Action (MIA), he was (posthumously) promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Davis is memorialized at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing, court 8 with gold inlay indicating he earned the Medal of Honor. He also has a memorial marker at City of Lubbock Cemetery in Lubbock, TX at section 45, corner of Dogwood and Azalia at Lat 33.33846 Long -101.48868.
References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - George A. Davis, Jr.
342nd Fighter Squadron "Scourgers" Lt. Davis photographs circa 1943-1944
NARA Records of Military Personnel Who Died as a Result of Hostilities During the Korean War - George Andrew Davis Jr
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - George Andrew Davis Jr.
FindAGrave - Maj George Andrew Davis, Jr (courts of the missing, photo)
FindAGrave - George Andrew Davis, Jr (memorial marker photo)
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 24 (4th FIW, 334th FIS), 51 (348th FG, 342nd FS), 224 (Davis, Jr. George Andrew (Curly)
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