[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 10, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S11305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           GENERAL RAY DAVIS

  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Madam President, I rise to pay tribute to the life of 
a great American hero and great Georgian. GEN Ray Davis passed away 
last week at the age of 88. Many will remember General Davis for his 
legacy of service, honor, and heroism. Most will remember General Davis 
as one of the most decorated marines in our Nation's history. I will 
remember him as a man of deep conviction who had a genuine concern for 
his family, community, and country, but mostly, I will remember him as 
my friend.
  President Truman awarded General Davis the Medal of Honor, the 
highest honor a soldier can receive, after the Korean War for his 
extraordinary heroism during the 1st Marine Division's historic battle 
of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. His leadership there secured a 
mountain pass, enabling the escape of two marine regiments that had 
been trapped for 5 days. To reach the regiments, then Lieutenant 
Colonel Davis led his men through the mountains in subzero temperatures 
through the night, battling vastly superior numbers, to eventually 
defeat the Chinese the next morning. The remaining epic 14-mile 
fighting march lasted 3 days.
  I ask unanimous consent to print in the Record the full text of 
General Davis's Medal of Honor citation.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

          Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient Raymond G. Davis

       Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine 
     Corps commanding officer, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st 
     Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Vicinity Hagaru-ri, 
     Korea, 1 through 4 December 1950. Entered service at: 
     Atlanta, Ga. Born: 13 January 1915, Fitzgerald, Ga. Citation: 
     For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his 
     life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer 
     of the 1st Battalion, in action against enemy aggressor 
     forces. Although keenly aware that the operation involved 
     breaking through a surrounding enemy and advancing 8 miles 
     along primitive icy trails in the bitter cold with every 
     passage disputed by a savage and determined foe, Lt. Col. 
     Davis boldly led his battalion into the attack in a daring 
     attempt to relieve a beleaguered rifle company and to seize, 
     hold, and defend a vital mountain pass controlling the only 
     route available for 2 marine regiments in danger of being cut 
     off by numerically superior hostile forces during their re-
     deployment to the port of Hungnam. when the battalion 
     immediately encountered strong opposition from entrenched 
     enemy forces commanding high ground in the path of the 
     advance, he promptly spearheaded his unit in a fierce attack 
     up the steep, ice-covered slopes in the face of withering 
     fire and, personally leading the assault groups in a hand-to-
     hand encounter, drove the hostile troops from their 
     positions, rested his men, and reconnoitered the area under 
     enemy fire to determine the best route for continuing the 
     mission. Always in the thick of the fighting Lt. Col. Davis 
     led his battalion over 3 successive ridges in the deep snow 
     in continuous attacks against the enemy and, constantly 
     inspiring and encouraging his men throughout the night, 
     brought his unit to a point within 1,500 yards of the 
     surrounded rifle company by daybreak. Although knocked to the 
     ground when a shell fragment struck his helmet and 2 bullets 
     pierced his clothing, he arose and fought his way forward at 
     the head of his men until he reached the isolated marines. On 
     the following morning, he bravely led his battalion in 
     securing the vital mountain pass from a strongly entrenched 
     and numerically superior hostile force, carrying all his 
     wounded with him, including 22 litter cases and numerous 
     ambulatory patients. Despite repeated savage and heavy 
     assaults by the enemy, he stubbornly held the vital terrain 
     until the 2 regiments of the division had deployed through 
     the pass and, on the morning of 4 December, led his battalion 
     into Hagaru-ri intact. By his superb leadership, outstanding 
     courage, and brilliant tactical ability, Lt. Col. Davis was 
     directly instrumental in saving the beleaguered rifle company 
     from complete annihilation and enabled the 2 marine regiments 
     to escape possible destruction. His valiant devotion to duty 
     and unyielding fighting spirit in the face of almost 
     insurmountable adds enhance and sustain the highest 
     traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

  Mr. CHAMBLISS. After the Korean War, General Davis went on to command 
the 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam. In 1972 he retired as a four-star 
general, having served his country for 33 years. During his service, 
General Davis earned a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, two Legions of 
Merit, two Silver Stars, two Distinguished Service Medals, the Navy 
Cross for his service in the Palua Islands operation, as well as the 
Medal of Honor.
  As an anecdote, our current chairman of the Senate Armed Services 
Committee, Senator John Warner, told me the other day that when he was 
Secretary of the Navy, he was responsible for seeing to the promotion 
of General Davis to full general.
  After his retirement he refused to fade from the scene and his 
tireless efforts on behalf of veterans nationwide led to the 
construction of the Korean War Memorial here in Washington, DC. General 
Davis made it a practice of keeping in touch with me with respect to 
issues regarding the Active Force as well as veterans on a regular 
basis.
  I noticed in my faxes I received last week that on the day before he 
died, he sent me a letter with an op ed he had written regarding a 
particular issue our Senate Armed Services Committee is dealing with on 
this very day.
  General Davis has been a constant source of encouragement and support 
to me over the years. I will miss him dearly. He is survived by his 
wife of 61 years, Willa Knox Davis, three children, seven 
grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
  We who knew him have been blessed by his wisdom, humility, and, above 
all, his honor. Our thoughts and prayers will remain with his family as 
they remember and celebrate the extraordinary life of GEN Ray Davis.

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