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First Name: Rodney

Last Name: Davis

Birthplace: Macon, GA, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Marines (present)



Home of Record: Macon, GA
Middle Name: Maxwell



Date of Birth: 07 April 1942

Date of Death: 06 September 1967

Rank: Sergeant

Years Served: 1961-1967
Rodney Maxwell Davis

   
Engagements:
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Rodney Maxwell Davis
Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

Rodney Maxwell Davis (7 April 1942 - 6 September 1967) was a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Vietnam War.

Davis was born on 7 April 1942, in Macon, GA, to Gordon N. and Ruth A. Davis. He attended elementary school and high school there and graduated from Peter G. Appling High School on 29 May 1961.

Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in his hometown on 31 August 1961. He then reported for recruit training with the First Recruit Training Battalion Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC. Upon completion of recruit training in December 1961, he was transferred to the Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, NC, and underwent Individual Combat Training with the Second Battalion, First Infantry Training Regiment, graduating the following February.

He then joined Company K, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, FMF, at Camp Lejeune and served as a rifleman until May 1964. While stationed at Camp Lejeune, he was promoted to Private First Class on 1 April 1962 and to Lance Corporal on 1 January 1964.

Lance Corporal Davis was ordered to London, England, for a three year tour of duty as Guard with the U.S. Marine Detachment, Naval Activities. He was promoted to Corporal on 1 January 1966 and to Sergeant on 1 December 1966.

Ordered to the Republic of Vietnam in August 1967, he was assigned duty as a Platoon Guide with Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division. On 6 September 1967, he was operating with his unit in the Quang Nam Province on a search and clear mission during Operation Swift, when they were attacked by a large North Vietnamese force. Elements of the platoon were pinned down in a trench line by mortars, heavy automatic and small arms fire. He went from man to man encouraging them on and also returning fire at the same time. An enemy hand grenade fell in the trenches his men were fighting from and without hesitation he threw himself upon the grenade. He saved his fellow Marines in this selfless act and thus earned the nation's highest military award for valor; the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

SERGEANT RODNEY M. DAVIS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the right guide of the Second Platoon, Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division, in action against enemy forces in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 6 September 1967. Elements of the Second Platoon were pinned down by a numerically superior force of attacking North Vietnamese Army Regulars. Remnants of the platoon were located in a trench line where Sergeant Davis was directing the fire of his men in an attempt to repel the enemy attack. Disregarding the enemy hand grenades and high volume of small arms and mortar fire, Sergeant Davis moved from man to man shouting words of encouragement to each of them firing and throwing grenades at the onrushing enemy. When an enemy grenade landed in the trench in the midst of his men, Sergeant Davis, realizing the gravity of the situation, and in a final valiant act of complete self-sacrifice, instantly threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing with his own body the full and terrific force of the explosion. Through his extraordinary initiative and inspiring valor in the face of almost certain death, Sergeant Davis saved his comrades from injury and possible loss of life, enabled his platoon to hold its vital position, and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

/S/ RICHARD M. NIXON

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
Combat Action Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Military Merit Medal
Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ Palm
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Sergeant Rodney Maxwell Davis' name is inscribed on Panel 26E - Line 8.

Honors

• The frigate USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60) was named in his honor.

Death and Burial

Sergeant Rodney Maxwell Davis was killed in action on 6 September 1967. He is buried at Linwood Cemetery in Macon, Bibb County, GA.



Honoree ID: 921   Created by: MHOH

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