[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               DAVIS FAMILY OF TELLICO PLAINS, TENNESSEE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 2009

  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, there is perhaps no greater sacrifice an 
American can make than serving their Country during a time of war, and 
no one can say the Davis family of Tellico Plains, Tennessee has not 
answered this call. It is a tradition which spans over ninety years.
  Private Hedrick Davis enlisted in the Army's Black Cat Division 
during World War I. After returning home, he bought a farm, married, 
and had five sons, who would all go on to answer that same call to 
service.
  Four of the Davis sons--Leonard, Dillard, Clarence, and Guy--joined 
the Armed Forces as soon as World War II began. All the brothers would 
fight for their Country and despite the tremendous loss of life in this 
great campaign, all would remarkably live to tell their tales.
  Dillard's story is one that took over fifty years to confirm. While 
on board the Belgian Troop ship the Leopoldville crossing the English 
Channel on Christmas Eve, a German Submarine attacked, sinking the boat 
with a torpedo. In a series of calamities following the strike and a 
botched rescue, 763 American soldiers died. Dillard managed to survive 
anid tell the tale that the United States and Great Britain did not 
admit until the 1990s.
  The fifth Davis brother--Rex--was only sixteen-years-old when World 
War II ended. But he would not be spared from his family's calling. 
When the Korean conflict escalated into a full-blown war, Rex Davis 
answered the call. His tale was one of Hollywood legend--literally.
  While training at Fort Benning, GA, movie stars Dean Martin and Jerry 
Lewis filmed the movie ``Jumping Jack'' on base, using Rex and his 
fellow soldiers as extras. Later, while serving in Korea, another movie 
star--Patricia Neal--came to entertain the troops. She asked on stage 
if anyone was from Knoxville and Rex jumped right up, getting his photo 
taken on stage with Ms. Neal. It is a cherished photograph that in 2003 
brought Ms. Neal to tears in Knoxville when she was unexpectedly 
reunited with Rex.
  In his Knoxville home, Rex Davis has files of records documenting the 
service of his father and four brothers, who together fought and 
survived three wars. Rex went on to serve on the Knoxville City 
Council, and he is known to tell a great story. I hope this story is 
told many times.
  Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to call the remarkable 
service of Private Hedrick Davis, Master Sgt. Leonard Davis, Staff Sgt. 
Dillard Davis, Cpl. Clarence Davis, Pfc. Guy Davis, and Cpl. Rex Davis 
to the attention of my colleagues and other readers of the Record.

                          ____________________