Louis H. Davis

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Louis H. Davis (0-1330524), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company K, 3d Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Davis distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Kung-dong, Korea, on the night of 6 October 1951. On that night, Lieutenant Davis led his platoon against a fanatical force occupying heavily fortified hill positions on a strategic slope. As the friendly troops advanced, they were subjected to a devastating volume of enemy small-arms and automatic weapons fire. The men sought what cover they could on the bare hillside in an effort to escape the heavy fire. Realizing that his men faced annihilation in their open positions, Lieutenant Davis exposed himself to the intense fire in order to seek out the concealed enemy emplacements. He then directed the fire of his men, constantly moving among them across the fire-swept terrain, shouting words of encouragement. The counterfire of the friendly troops commanded by Lieutenant Davis proved so effective that it enabled other friendly units to advance against the hostile positions and to drive the enemy troops from the objective with heavy casualties. Although he was mortally wounded in this action, Lieutenant Davis, with strength ebbing fast, remained with his men and continued to direct their fire until he succumbed.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 50 (January 25, 1952)