Samuel C. Davis

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Samuel C. Davis (34603829), Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company B, 737th Tank Battalion, in action against enemy forces on 17 July 1944, in the vicinity of St. Lo, France. On that date Sergeant Davis, whose tank battalion was working with infantry in attacking Hill 122, observed that some of his unit’s fire was inadvertently being directed near our own infantry men who had advanced further than expected. Radio communications between tanks had been completely disrupted by very heavy enemy artillery fire. Sergeant Davis stopped his fire, left his tank and ran across the field under heavy machine gun and artillery fire to another tank, jumped up on the back of it, and advised the tank commander to cease fire. He then ran across the field to another tank, and in a similar manner had that tank commander cease fire. While on the back of this tank, Sergeant DAVIS was killed by enemy machine gun fire. By this time the rest of his unit had noticed that the three tanks had stopped firing, and they also ceased their fire. Sergeant Davis’ heroic sacrifice and devotion to duty were instrumental in saving the lives of many of his comrades. His intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.