TFH 1/12: Captain Charles W. Davis, USA

Blogger's note: due to a clerical error on my part, this post should have appeared on Saturday, January 12, 2013, the seventieth anniversary of the events described. Please accept my sincere apologies.

Charles Willis Davis was born in Gordo, Alabama on February 21, 1917. He spent time with the Alabama National Guard prior to World War II, and went to war in the active United States Army with the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment and the 25th Infantry Division on Guadalcanal.

On January 12, 1943, Davis was 2-27 Infantry's executive officer during the Battle of Mount Austen, the Galloping Horse, and the Sea Horse. He volunteered to carry orders forward to the battalion's isolated and heavily engaged companies, and remained with them to lead them in combat. His heroism was recognized later in 1943 with the Medal of Honor.


From Medal of Honor Citations for World War II (A-F):

DAVIS, CHARLES W.

Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Guadalcanal Island, 12 January 1943. Entered service at: Montgomery, Ala. Birth: Gordo, Ala. G.O. No.: 40, 17 July 1943. Citation: For d1stinguishing himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy on Guadalcanal Island. On 12 January 1943, Maj. Davis (then Capt.), executive officer of an infantry battalion, volunteered to carry instructions to the leading companies of his battalion which had been caught in crossfire from Japanese machineguns. With complete disregard for his own safety, he made his way to the trapped units, delivered the instructions, supervised their execution, and remained overnight in this exposed position. On the following day, Maj. Davis again volunteered to lead an assault on the Japanese position which was holding up the advance. When his rifle jammed at its first shot, he drew his pistol and, waving his men on, led the assault over the top of the hill. Electrified by this action, another body of soldiers followed and seized the hill. The capture of this position broke Japanese resistance and the battalion was then able to proceed and secure the corps objective. The courage and leadership displayed by Maj. Davis inspired the entire battalion and unquestionably led to the success of its attack.

As Davis' Medal of Honor citation indicates, he was subsequently promoted to Major. He remained in the Army and also served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Davis attained the rank of Colonel before retiring. He passed away at age 73 on January 18, 1991 and rests in peace at Arlington National Cemetery.

2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry still is a component of the present day 25th Infantry Division. They are assigned to the division's 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team at the Schofield Barracks, O'ahu, Hawaii.