George Andrew Davis, Jr.
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George Andrew Davis, Jr. | |
---|---|
December 1, 1920 - February 10, 1952 | |
Nickname | USAF |
Place of birth | Dublin, Texas |
Place of death | KIA near the Sinuiju-Yalu River, Korea |
Rank | Major |
Commands | 334th Fighter Squadron |
Battles/wars | Korean War |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
George Andrew Davis, Jr. (December 1, 1920-February 10, 1952) was a Major in the 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force, United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on February 10, 1952 in MiG Alley, near the Yalu River, Korea.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation[1]
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Air Force, CO, 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, Fifth Air Force.
Place and date: Near Sinuiju-Yalu River area, Korea, 10 February 1952.
Entered service at: Lubbock, Texas
Born: 1 December 1920, Dublin, Texas
Citation: Maj. Davis distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While leading a flight of four F-86 Sabers on a combat aerial patrol mission near the Manchurian border, Maj. Davis' element leader ran out of oxygen and was forced to retire from the flight with his wingman accompanying him. Maj. Davis and the remaining F-86 continued the mission and sighted a formation of approximately twelve enemy MIG-15 aircraft speeding southward toward an area where friendly fighter-bombers were conducting low level operations against the Communist lines of communications. With selfless disregard for the numerical superiority of the enemy, Maj. Davis positioned his two aircraft, then dove at the MIG formation. While speeding through the formation from the rear he singled out a MIG-15 and destroyed it with a concentrated burst of fire. Although he was now under continuous fire from the enemy fighters to his rear, Maj. Davis sustained his attack. He fired at another MIG-15 which, bursting into smoke and flames, went into a vertical dive. Rather than maintain his superior speed and evade the enemy fire being concentrated on him, he elected to reduce his speed and sought out still a third MIG-15. During this latest attack his aircraft sustained a direct hit, went out of control, then crashed into a mountain 30 miles south of the Yalu River. Maj. Davis' bold attack completely disrupted the enemy formation, permitting the friendly fighter-bombers to successfully complete their interdiction mission. Maj. Davis, by his indomitable fighting spirit, heroic aggressiveness, and superb courage in engaging the enemy against formidable odds exemplified valor at its highest.
[edit] See also
- Medal of Honor
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of military decorations
- List of Korean War air aces
[edit] Notes
- ^ Medal of Honor Recipients: Korean War, U.S. Army Center for Military History.
Categories: 1920 births | 1952 deaths | Air Force Medal of Honor recipients | Military personnel of the Korean War | People from Texas | Recipients of the Purple Heart medal | United States Air Force officers | American World War II flying aces | Recipients of US Distinguished Service Cross | American Korean War killed in action