George Andrew Davis, Jr.

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Maj. George Andrew Davis, Jr.

United States Air Force
December 1, 1920(1920-12-01) – February 10, 1952 (aged 31)

Place of birth Dublin, Texas
Place of death KIA near the Sinuiju-Yalu River, Korea
Allegiance Flag of the United States United States of America
Service/branch Flag of the United States Air Force United States Air Force
Years of service 1942-1952
Rank Major
Commands held 334th Fighter Squadron
Battles/wars World War II
Korean War
Awards Medal of Honor
Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart

George Andrew Davis, Jr. (December 1, 1920 – February 10, 1952) was a major in the 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force, United States Air Force during the Korean War. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions on February 10, 1952 in MiG Alley, near the Yalu River, Korea.

Contents

[edit] Awards and decorations

Major Davis's awards include:

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Air Force, CO, 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, Fifth Air Force.

Place and date: Near Sinuiju-Yalu River area, Korea, 10 February 1952.

Entered service at: Lubbock, Texas

Born: 1 December 1920, Dublin, Texas

Citation:

Maj. Davis distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While leading a flight of four F-86 Sabres on a combat aerial patrol mission near the Manchurian border, Maj. Davis' element leader ran out of oxygen and was forced to retire from the flight with his wingman accompanying him. Maj. Davis and the remaining F-86 continued the mission and sighted a formation of approximately twelve enemy MIG-15 aircraft speeding southward toward an area where friendly fighter-bombers were conducting low level operations against the Communist lines of communications. With selfless disregard for the numerical superiority of the enemy, Maj. Davis positioned his two aircraft, then dove at the MIG formation. While speeding through the formation from the rear he singled out a MIG-15 and destroyed it with a concentrated burst of fire. Although he was now under continuous fire from the enemy fighters to his rear, Maj. Davis sustained his attack. He fired at another MIG-15 which, bursting into smoke and flames, went into a vertical dive. Rather than maintain his superior speed and evade the enemy fire being concentrated on him, he elected to reduce his speed and sought out still a third MIG-15. During this latest attack his aircraft sustained a direct hit, went out of control, then crashed into a mountain 30 miles south of the Yalu River. Maj. Davis' bold attack completely disrupted the enemy formation, permitting the friendly fighter-bombers to successfully complete their interdiction mission. Maj. Davis, by his indomitable fighting spirit, heroic aggressiveness, and superb courage in engaging the enemy against formidable odds exemplified valor at its highest.[1]

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ "GEORGE A. Davis, Jr." entry. Medal of Honor Recipients: Korean War. CMH, U.S. Army (July 16, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-30.

[edit] References