Hugh Brunson Davis

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Hugh Brunson Davis, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving on board the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. ASTORIA (CA-34), during the Battle of Savo Island on 9 August 1942. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Davis supervised the moving of personnel to a safer location after enemy shells set fire to a fuel tank. Finding men trapped in the engineroom and suffocating from heat and smoke from fires on the upper decks, he entered the blazing mess compartment, forced open the water-tight door, and guided the men to safety. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 319 (October 1943)