Joseph H. Davis

Joseph H. Davis
Born July 22, 1860(1860-07-22)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died June 19, 1903(1903-06-19) (aged 42)
Place of burial Montrose Cemetery, Upper Darby, Pennsylvania
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Rank Landsman
Unit USS Dale
Awards Medal of Honor

Joseph H. Davis (July 22, 1860 – June 19, 1903) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Biography

Born on July 22, 1860, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Davis joined the Navy from that city.[1] By January 22, 1886, he was serving as a landsman on the receiving ship USS Dale. On that day, while at Norfolk, Virginia, he jumped overboard from a ferry and rescued Ordinary Seaman John Norman from drowning. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.[2]

Davis's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

On board the U.S. Receiving Ship Dale off the Wharf at Norfolk, Va., 22 January 1886. Jumping overboard from the ferryboat, Davis rescued from drowning John Norman, ordinary seaman.[2]

Davis left the Navy while still a landsman. He died on June 19, 1903, at age 42 and was buried at Montrose Cemetery in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.[3]

See also

Biography portal
United States Navy portal

References

  1. ^ "Joseph H. Davis". Hall of Valor. Military Times. http://www.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=2108. Retrieved September 13, 2010. 
  2. ^ a b "Medal of Honor recipients - Interim Awards, 1871–1898". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 5, 2010. http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/int1871-98.html. Retrieved September 14, 2010. 
  3. ^ "Joseph H. Davis". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. June 23, 2009. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=38671394. Retrieved September 14, 2010.