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USS DAVIS (DD-937)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NDLV

Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign (circa 1968) - MATADOR

CLASS - FORREST SHERMAN As Built.
Displacement 4619 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 418' 6"(oa) x 44' 11" x 15' (Max)
Armament 3 x 5"/54 DP (3x1), 4 x 3"/50 (2x2), 2 Hedghog ASW Mortars,
4 x 21" tt.(4x1) 6 x 12.75" Mk 32 ASW TT (2x3).
Machinery, 70,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 33 Knots, Range 4500 NM@ 20 Knots, Crew 324.
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Bethlehem Steel, Quincy. February 1 1955.
Launched March 28 1956 and commissioned March 6 1957.
Decommissioned December 20 1982.
Stricken July 27 1990.
Fate Sold June 30 1994 to NR Acquisitions for $15,149, scrapping completed April 12 1996.

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Size Image Description Contributed
By
Namesake
Davis
0593759

Davis
0593719

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George Fleming Davis was born in Manila, Philippines, 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 (CA-37). 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 aboard destroyer Broome (DD-210) and fast minesweeper Hopkins (DMS-13). Following promotion to the rank of Lieutenant in mid-1941 he was assigned to the battleship Oklahoma (BB-37), which was sunk on 07 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 (CL-48), 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. While serving as Honolulu's First Lieutenant and Damage Control Officer, Davis received the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for "exceptionally meritorious conduct." 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 (DD-723) in late November 1944. On 07 December 1944, Walke rescued all the survivors of stricken destroyer Mahan (DD-364) in Ormoc Bay amidst the Mahan's exploding magazines and persistent enemy air attack. For this action, Davis received the Silver Star. On 06 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.

Davis' Medal of Honor citation reads:

"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."

0593759 - Midshipman George Fleming Davis, from 1934 Lucky Bag.
0593719 - Commander George Fleming Davis, USN (1911-1945) Halftone photo from Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy, page 173. Naval History & Heritage Command photo NH 99875.
Bill Gonyo / Dave Wright
USS Davis (DD-937)
Davis
0593701
107kUndated, location unknown.-
Davis
0593753
106kUndated, location unknown.Richard Miller BMCS USNR RET.
Davis
0593755
81kUndated, location unknown.Richard Miller BMCS USNR RET.
Davis
0593756
65kUndated, location unknown.Richard Miller BMCS USNR RET.
Davis
0593749
161kLaunch of Davis (DD-937) at Quincy, Massachusetts, 28 March 1956.Dave Wright
Davis
0593758
283kDavis (DD-937) underway from her builder's yard to Norfolk for commissioning, 28 February 1957. Davis was commissioned there a week later.Senior Chief Erling Baldorf
Royal Danish Navy (Ret.)
Davis
0593760
1183kDavis (DD-937) at Boston Navy Yard, 28 February 1957. She would be placed into commission on 06 March. Note Constitution in Drydock 1 in the background. Davis is moored where museum ship Cassin Young (DD-793) is currently moored.
USN photo from Charlestown Navy Yard NPS collection, BOSTS 10879a
Rick E. Davis
Davis
0593757
881kDavis coming alongside Intrepid (CVA-11) about July 1957. National Archives photo 80-G-1035170Rick E. Davis
Davis
0593721
196kUSS Davis (DD-937) at Genoa, Italy, 26 December 1960.Carlo Martinelli
Davis
0593722
186kUSS Davis (DD-937) and USS Corry (DD-817) at Genoa, Italy, 26 December 1960.Carlo Martinelli
Davis
0593743
176kUSS Davis (DD-937) in Genoa, Italy, 26 December 1960.Carlo Martinelli
Davis
0593718
91kUSS Compton (DD-705), USS Steinaker (DD-863), USS Leary (DD-879) and USS Davis (DD-937) at Naples, Italy, May 1962.Jack C. Sofield
Davis
0593741
204kUSS Davis at anchor off Cannes, France, 04 July 1962. She is in "dressed ship" stste for Independence Day.
USN Photograph CVA-62-1232-7-62, Naval History & Heritage Command, Curator Branch "L" File.
Robert Hurst
Davis
0593704
62kUnderway in Pacific from San Diego to Pearl Harbor, 08 February 1966.© Richard Leonhardt
Davis
0593710
37kUnderway in South China Sea, 07 July 1966.© Richard Leonhardt
Davis
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43kMoored off Cochin India, 16-18 July 1966© Richard Leonhardt
Davis
0593703
69kPort call at Aden, British Protectorate, 23 July 1966.© Richard Leonhardt
Davis
0582415
129kUSS 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
Davis
0593717
82kUSS 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
Davis
0593754
147kAt Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta, probably June 1967.Richard Miller BMCS USNR RET.
Davis
0593752
210kUSS Davis (DD-937) refuelling while underway in 1968, location unknown. United States Navy, by PHC B. L. Alley.Robert Hurst
Davis
0593738
43kOn patrol in the South China Sea during 1969.Masao Aochi
Davis
0593709
109kUS 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
Davis
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127k Five more views of the Davis as she began conversion at Boston Naval Shipyard, all dated 31 October 1969. Wayne VanDerVoort
Davis
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51k
Davis
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211k
Davis
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65k
Davis
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65k
Davis
0593749
125kAlongside the USS Grand Canyon (AD/AR-28) at Newport, Ri, circa 1972.ctorbann
Davis
0593713
81kAt Montreal, 10 August 1978.Marc Piché
Davis
0593714
71kAt Montreal 10 August 1978.Marc Piché
Davis
0593712
89kIn the St. Lawrence Seaway, 11 August 1978.Marc Piché
Davis
0593715
27kIn the Welland Canal, 13 August 1978.Marc Piché
Davis
0593750
172kUSS Davis (DD-937) moored alongside guided missile destroyer escort USS Richard L. Page (DEG-5) at Djibouti, 07 March 1979. Photo courtesy of Karsten Petersen.Robert Hurst
Davis
0593742
59kUSS Davis underway in the Indian Ocean, photographed by PH2 Patrick D. Tiffany of the carrier USS Constellation (CV-64), 19 March 1979.
USN photo 1174656, Ships History and Archives Branch.
Robert Hurst
Davis
0593720
155k1980, location unknown.David Buell
Davis   Davis   Davis   Davis   Davis
Davis   Davis   Davis   Davis   Davis
Welcome Aboard pamphlet - circa 1982
Wolfgang Hechler
Davis
0593721
122kMothballed destroyers at Philadelphia Navy Yard: USS Blandy (DD-943), USS Davis (DD-937), USS Forrest Sherman (DD-931) and USS Manley (DD-940), probably in late 1980s.Ed Zajkowski
Davis
0593716
79kOn the way to scrappers, 17 January 1992.Marc Piché
Davis
0593740
314kAn aerial view of the Baltimore Fairfield Terminal area showing various former U.S. Navy destroyers awaiting the scrapper's torch. From bottom to top: the destroyers Blandy (DD-943) and Forrest Sherman (DD-931), the former U.S. Army N-3 type port repair ship Madison Jordon Manchester (ex USS Hydra (AK-82)), the guided missile destroyers USS Claude V. Ricketts (DDG-5) and USS Lawrence (DDG-4), the destroyer USS Davis (DD-937) and the bow of the USS Bigelow (DD-942), November 11 1994. Photo courtesy of the National Archives.Bill Gonyo
Memorabilia
Davis
0593706
68kShip's patch.Jim Hocking
Davis
0593707
42kShip's patch.Jim Hocking
Davis
0593705
45kShip's patchMike Smolinski
Davis
0593708
51kShip's patch.Jim Hocking
Davis
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100k-120kUniform Ship's name shoulder patch.Al Grazevich

USS DAVIS DD-937 History
View this vessel's DANFS History entry at the Naval History & Heritage Command website

Commanding Officers
01CDR George Gill Ball (USNA 1941)06 March 1957 - 02 May 1958
02CDR Lefteris Lavrakas (USNA 1943)02 May 1958 - 13 October 1959
03CDR Robert Kent Rosemont USN13 October 1959 - 22 November 1960
04CDR John Webster Smith USN22 November 1960 - 29 September 1961
05CDR Allan Paul Slaff (USNA 1945)29 September 1961 - 02 March 1963
06CDR George Birdt USN02 March 1963 - July 1964
07CDR Herbert Herman Niehaus USNJuly 1964 - 14 October 1965
08CDR Robert Parker Hilton, Sr. (USNA 19xx)14 October 1965 - 12 July 1967
09CDR Edward Joseph Mountford (USNA 19xx)12 July 1967 - 17 October 1970
10CDR William Jay Sweet, Jr. (USNA 19xx)17 October 1970 - 07 March 1972
11CDR Loren Marston Lewedag (USNA 19xx)07 March 1972 - 10 July 1973
12CDR James Murchison Hamrick (USNA 19xx)10 July 1973 - 19 July 1975
13CDR Donald Henry Gunderson (USNA 19xx)19 July 1975 - 21 May 1977
14CDR Alan Brian Flanagan (USNA 19xx)21 May 1977 - 31 August 1979
15CDR Gerald William Dunne (USNA 19xx)31 August 1979 - 17 May 1982
16CDR Robert Drake Jones (USNA 19xx)17 May 1982 - 20 December 1982

Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name: Peter Lennon
Address: 5 Skyline Drive, Plainville, CT 06062-2612
Phone: 860) 747-8761
E-mail: ptlii37@aol.com
Next reunion: October 13-16, 2011, Virginia Beach VA

Note About Contacts.

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.


Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Tin Can Sailors Website
Destroyer History Foundation
Official U.S.Navy Destroyer Website

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This page was created by Fred Willishaw (ex ARG-4, AS-11 & DD-692) and is maintained by David L. Wright
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Last Updated 16 October 2020