Robert T. Davis

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Robert T. Davis (0-556923), First Lieutenant (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a Catalina Aircraft with the 2d Emergency Rescue Squadron (PBY), 5230th Composite Rescue Group, THIRTEENTH Air Force, in action against enemy forces on 8 April 1945, near Tarakan, Borneo. On that date, Lieutenant Davis was dispatched to search for the surviving crew members of a bomber reported down in enemy-held territory. Notified that a dinghy had been sighted near Tarakan Airstrip, he approached the area and as he prepared to land the enemy opened intense anti-aircraft and machine gun fire, seriously injuring two of the crew and damaging his plane and controls. Despite the damage to his aircraft and the continued enemy fire, Lieutenant Davis, taking evasive action, landed on the water under heavy fire and rescued all six survivors of the downed bomber. Still under fire he took off for the nearest base to obtain medical aid for the wounded. The gallantry and courage displayed by Lieutenant Davis in disregarding his own safety to rescue his fellow airmen exemplifies the highest traditions of the armed forces and reflects great credit upon himself, the 13th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.