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"He is a true American
hero."
—
Senator
Zell Miller, Honorary Chairman of the General Ray Davis Memorial
Endowment
General Davis was commended for service
and self-sacrifice throughout his career and in retirement.
The following are some notable citations.
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Never a shouter, never profane,
never a grandstander, Ray Davis expressed his thoughts
with gentlemanly precision and razor-sharp logic, never
closed his mind on a topic, ever remaining willing to
re-open the dialogue or reconsider a decision. His soft-spoken
guidance carried more authority than the strident bellowing
of some other leaders.
— Major General Carl Hoffman,
USMC (retired), c. 1995
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By his superb leadership,
outstanding courage and brilliant tactical ability,
Lieutenant Colonel Davis was directly instrumental in
saving the beleaguered rifle company from complete annihilation
and enabled the two Marine regiments to escape possible
destruction. His valiant devotion to duty and unyielding
fighting spirit in the face of almost insurmountable
odds enhance and sustain the highest traditions of the
United States Naval Service.
— President Harry S. Truman, Citation
on the Presentation of the Medal of Honor, 1952
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President Harry S. Truman,
in the White House Ceremony on November 24, 1952, reads
the citation accompanying Marine Lieutenant Colonel
Raymond G. Davis' Medal of Honor. Davis' wife, Willa Knox
and children Raymond G. Davis, Jr., Gordon and Willa
look on. Photo from The Story of Ray Davis.
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| Although wounded during
the first hour of landing, Major Davis refused evacuation
to remain with his Battalion's assault elements in many
hazardous missions. On one occasion, when large gaps
occurred in our front lines as the result of heavy casualties,
and his right flank company was disorganized by point-blank
enemy cannon fire following a successful nine hundred
yard penetration through heavily defended lines, he
rallied and personally led combined troops into these
gaps to establish contact and maintain hasty defensive
positions for the remainder of the night. Despite many
casualties from close-range sniper fire, he remained
in the vicinity of the front line, coordinating artillery
and Naval gunfire support with such effect that several
determined counterattacks were repulsed. His outstanding
courage, devotion to duty, and leadership were in keeping
with the highest tradition of the United States Naval
Service.
— John L. Sullivan, Secretary
of the Navy, about events at Peleliu, on the Presentation
of the Navy Cross, 1945
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Wedding Portrait, 1942. |
He's a
real American hero.
— Professor John Endicott,
Director of the Center for International Strategy,
Technology, and Policy, Georgia Tech, 2003
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. . . Ray Davis is endowed
with those qualities of mind and person which fit a
Marine officer for command and which attract and stimulate
the respect and enthusiasm of both his seniors and juniors.
He is highly active, moves quickly and with confidence
to the jugular of any problem, yet at the same time
he is deferential, courteous, and extremely modest.
He is equal to any occasion as it arises and, in my
opinion, is preeminently qualified for, and should rise
to, the top ranks of his profession. His duties have
involved joint efforts with officers of other Services
and high echelons of our own government.
— Brigadier General J.M. Masters,
Sr., Asst. Chief of Staff, G-2, Marine Corps Headquarters,
fitness report, 1959
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Photo used with the
permission of the Georgia Institute of Technology Library
and Information Center.
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Looking back over the
years, I have come to realize what a tremendous individual
he was. I think you will agree that he had a superb
tactical ability—probably the finest division
commander the Corps has ever had. I was fortunate enough
to have seen him remotivate an entire Division so that
it became a winning team.
— Colonel Dick Camp (retired),
former aide to General Davis, c. 1995
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All of
General Davis' community service accomplishments are
too numerous to mention in their entirety, but suffice
it to say he personifies the definition of a "public
servant." His courage, devotion to duty, leadership,
and lifetime of exceptionally meritorious service epitomize
the true intent of the Medal of Freedom. In war and
peace, as an active duty Marine and as a private citizen,
General Davis' outstanding courage, unwavering devotion
to duty, inspiring leadership, and sound judgment have
represented the highest traditions of military service
and citizenship. He is a true American hero.
— Senator Zell Miller (Georgia),
nomination for the Presidential Medal of Freedom,
2003
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Of the 50 or so division commanders I have known in Vietnam, General Davis has no peer. He's the best.
— General Creighton W. Abrams, Jr., Commander, U.S. Military Assistance Command in Vietnam, 1968-72
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Do you have a
tribute to General Ray Davis that you would like to add
to this list? Please let us know who you are and what
you have to say!
Contact gendavis@iac.gatech.edu.
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Would
you like to pay tribute to General Davis with a tax-deductible
donation in his name?
A contribution to the General Ray Davis Memorial Endowment
honors the general by supporting a cause he championed. Because
endowment funds are invested and only the income is spent,
your gift will endure as a lasting tribute to General Davis
and his heroism.
To make a donation, choose
from the donor levels below and click on the appropriate button.
Other donation amounts and
payment methods are available. For more information, contact
the Director of Development, Ivan Allen College, 404-894-9539,
or email gendavis@iac.gatech.edu.
Please choose from the following donor levels:
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At the one-star, $35 level, donors
will receive . . .
a place on the General Ray Davis Memorial Endowment Wall
of Honor. The wall will feature each contributor's
name (or the name of a respected loved one) engraved in
brass. Located on the Georgia Tech campus, the wall will
serve as a constant reminder to students and visitors of
General Davis' contribution to American security and of
individual donors' contributions to national security studies.
Donors will also receive a copy of Senator Zell Miller's
Congressional proclamation celebrating the achievements—including
the Medal of Honor—of General Davis.
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At the two-star, $50 level, donors
will receive . . .
a special "gold strike" medallion, commemorating General
Davis' distinguished career, plus the gifts listed above.
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At the three-star, $100 level,
donors will receive . . .
a copy of The Story of Ray Davis,
an account of the "lessons learned in war and peace,"
told by General Davis himself, plus each of the gifts listed
above.
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At the four-star, $500 and $1000
level, donors will receive . . .
a distinguished plaque—larger than the other names—on
the General Ray Davis Memorial Endowment Wall of Honor,
plus the gifts listed above.
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