Photographic History of the United States Navy
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NavSource Naval History Photographic History of the United States Navy |
DESTROYER ARCHIVE |
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Size | Image Description | Contributed By |
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| 81k | George F. Davis was born in Manila, Philippines, on 23 March 1911. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy from the Naval Reserve in 1930 and graduated in May 1934. Ensign Davis' first duty station was the new heavy cruiser Tuscaloosa. While in 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 Broome and fast minesweeper Hopkins. Following promotion to the rank of Lieutenant in mid-1941 he was assigned to the battleship Oklahoma, which was sunk on 7 December 1941 when Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor opened the Pacific War. In January 1942 Lieutenant Davis was transferred to the light cruiser Honolulu, in which he participated in operations in the Aleutian Islands, the hard fighting over Guadalcanal and the Central Solomons, and the campaign to recover Guam. He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and Commander while serving in Honolulu, which he left in mid-1944. Following training in advanced surface warfare techniques, he was given command of the destroyer Walke 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 Kamikazes. Though Walke 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 Walke's survival was assured did he relinquish his post to be taken below, where he died a short time later. For his conduct, Commander George F. Davis was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His body was buried at sea. "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. Walke 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 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 plane 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." Photo #: NH 99875. Commander George Fleming Davis, USN (1911-1945) Halftone photo from Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy, page 173. Commander Davis was awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for "conspicious gallantry and intrepidity" while in command of USS Walke (DD-723) when she was hit by a Japanese suicide plane during the Lingayen Gulf operation, 6 January 1945. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. | Bill Gonyo | |
| 107k | Undated, location unknown. | - | |
| 75k | Undated postcard Copyright © Atlantic Fleet Sales, Norfolk, VA. | Mike Smolinski | |
| 91k | USS Compton (DD-705), USS Steinaker (DD-863), USS Leary (DD-879) and USS Davis (DD-937) in Naples, Italy May 1962. | Jack C. Sofield | |
| 62k | Pacific, February 8 1966 | © Richard Leonhardt | |
| 37k | South China Sea July 7 1966. | © Richard Leonhardt | |
| 69k | Aden BP, July 23 1966 | © Richard Leonhardt | |
| 43k | Kochin India, July 29 1966 | © Richard Leonhardt | |
| 129k | USS Sierra (AD-18) at San Juan, Puerto Rico, 26 February 1967 with six destroyers alongside including the Basilone (DD-824), Fiske (DD-842), Davis (DD-937), Richard E Kraus (DD-849), Harwood (DD-861), and the Gyatt (DD-712). Taken from the USS Fred T. Berry (DD-858). | © Richard Leonhardt | |
| 82k | USS Fulton (AS-11) and USS Sierra (AD-18) stern to stern at San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 1967 with the USS Davis (DD-937), unknown, USS Harwood (DD-861), USS William C. Lawe (DD-763) and USS Stribling (DD-867) alongside the Sierra. | Sheridan Carey | |
| 109k | US Navy file picture of Davis being prepared for superstructure conversion - October 31 1969. This picture was given to me by former CO, Capt Edward J. Mountford, USN (Ret). | Jim Hocking | |
| 81k | Montreal August 10 1978. | Marc Piché | |
| 71k | Montreal August 10 1978. | Marc Piché | |
| 89k | St. Lawrence Seaway August 11 1978. | Marc Piché | |
| 27k | Welland Canal August 13 1978. | Marc Piché | |
| 79k | January 17 1992 on the way to Quicy, MA Scrapper. | Marc Piché | |
| 68k | Ship's patch. | Jim Hocking | |
| 42k | Ship's patch. | Jim Hocking | |
| 45k | Ship's patch | Mike Smolinski | |
| 51k | Ship's patch. | Jim Hocking | |
The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.
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