TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Davis, Samuel C.

Date of death:
July 17th, 1944 (Saint-Lô/Manche department, Basse-Normandie, France)
Buried on:
Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
Plot: E. Row: 4. Grave: 30.
Nationality:
American

Biography

Army Service Number: 34603829.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Sergeant
Unit:
Company B, 737th Tank Battalion, 35th Infantry Division "Santa Fe", U.S. Army
Awarded on:
September 13th, 1944
Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. On 17 July 1944, Sergeant Davis, whose tank battalion was working with infantry in attacking Hill 122, St Lo, France, 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."

General Order 59, Third US Army, 13th September 1944.
Awarded posthumously.
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Sergeant
Unit:
Company B, 737th Tank Battalion, 35th Infantry Division "Santa Fe", U.S. Army

This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leaf to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.
Purple Heart

Sources

Photo