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Commander George F. Davis
U.S. Navy (USN), Commander USS Walke (DD-723) earned the Medal of Honor
Background
Click For EnlargementGeorge Fleming Davis was born March 23, 1911 to American parents in Manila. His father worked at the U.S. Navy base at Subic Bay. At a young age, his family relocated to Oahu and his father worked in the shipyard at Pearl Harbor.

Appointed to the U.S. Navy Academy (USNA) class of 1930 and graduated May 1934 and was commissioned in the U.S. Navy (USN) as an ensign with service number 0-73637. His first assignment was aboard USS Tuscaloosa (CA-37) as an aircraft gunnery observer. Next, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) and served aboard destroyer USS Broome (DD-210) and the fast minesweeper USS Hopkins (DD-249).

Wartime History
In 1941, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in mid-1941 he was assigned to USS Oklahoma (BB-37). On December 7, 1941 survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor when the battleship was sunk. In January 1942 assigned to USS Honolulu (CL-48) serving in the Aleutian Islands, Guadalcanal, the Central Solomons, and Guam. He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and Commander and served in Honolulu until the middle of 1944 then attended training in advanced surface warfare techniques.

In late November 1944 became the commanding officer of USS Walke (DD-723) in the Philippines. On December 7, 1944 participates in the Battle of Ormoc Bay and supports the U.S. landing on Mindoro.

On January 6, 1945 enters Lingayen Gulf to cover minesweepers clearing the waters ahead of the U.S. invasion. Walke was targeted by four Ki-43 Oscars flying low that approached from the starboard side forward and engaged them with anti-aircraft gun fire and shot down two. The third made a strafing run and kamikaze attack and crashed into the port side of the bridge and caused a fire, lost communications, radar, gyros and electricity in the superstructure plus extensive damage to the bridge and torpedo directors. The plane's single bomb did not explode but passed through the combat information center. Two minutes later, the fourth Ki-43 Oscar began a kamikaze attack against the destroyer diving toward the starboard quarter and was engaged with gun fire that hit the plane causing it to catch fire and crash into the sea nearby and saved the destroyer from sustaining further damage or being sunk Despite the damage and serious burns, Commander George F. Davis remained in command and directed his crew only after he was sure the situation was stable did he relinquish command and several hours later died of his wounds. For his actions, he later earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously.

Medal of Honor
For his actions January 6, 1945, Davis earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously. On November 16, 1945 his Medal of Honor was presented to his widow by Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal. He also earned the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Purple Heart, posthumously.
Medal of Honor (January 6, 1945, posthumously)
Medal of HonorCitation: "The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Commander George Fleming Davis (NSN: 0-73637), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. WALKE (DD-723) 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 suicide planes 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 WALKE’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 of 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 craft struck, drenched with gasoline and immediately enveloped in flames, he conned the WALKE 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 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."
Memorials
On January 6, 1945 Davis died of his wounds and was buried at sea. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Davis is also memorialized at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) at section MA site 98-E.

Research
Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - Commander George F. Davis, (1911–1945)

Congressional Medal of Honor Society - George F. Davis (MOH citation)
Hall of Valor - George F. Davis (full MOH citation)
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - George F. Davis
FindAGrave - CDR George Fleming Davis (photo, tablets of the missing photos)
FindAGrave - CDR George Fleming Davis (photo, memorial marker photos)
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