Douglas Courtland Davis

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Douglas Courtland Davis, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Navy PY-1 Liberator Patrol Plane in Bombing Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIX (VB-106), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Guadalcanal and Munda in the Solomon Islands during the period from 1 November 1943 to 24 March 1944. Lieutenant Davis carried out repeated combat missions during which he destroyed six float planes, a large fuel dump and a vessel, severely damaged harbor facilities, four barges and a building, and silenced an antiaircraft gun position. On 7 November he attacked a hostile convoy at Satawan Island, and, in the face of heavy antiaircraft fire and fighter opposition and probably destroyed two Japanese airplanes. Lieutenant Davis’ outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 332 (November 1944)