Raymond Davis

General Raymond Davis is from Fitzgerald, Georgia and was born on January 15th, 1915. General Davis fought in World War II, Korean, and Vietnam conflict. General Davis is a highly decorated Marine, receiving many awards, including being the recipient of the Medal of Honor in 1952. He received the Medal of Honor due to his heroic actions in Korea. Then Lt. Col. Davis commanded the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, from August to December 1950. On December 1, 1950, during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea, Lt. Col. Davis led his battalion in and through fierce firefights with the Chinese army from Yudam-ni to Hagru-ri.  Lt. Col. Davis led in front of his men as they marched at night over mountains in a driving snowstorm. He rescued and saved Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment from annihilation at the Toktong Pass. This action also opened the blocked mountain pass to Hagaru-ri allowing two trapped Marine regiments to escape. He was recommended for the Medal of Honor for his brave actions. The medal was presented to Lt. Col. Davis by President Harry S. Truman in a White House ceremony on November 24, 1952. You can read General Raymond Davis Medal of Honor citation at https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/raymond-g-davis .

Memory from GySgt Victoria Turney:
My personal memories of General Davis began in 1993 when I was stationed in Camp Pendleton, California. He was part of the 2nd Marine Division Association, and a reunion tour of the base of veterans was in the schedule. I was honored to have been a docent for the group to share the story of the base, and wore a Korean era woman Marine uniform.

I didn’t realize the magnitude of this man and his accomplishments until I was stationed at the 6th Marine Corps District in Atlanta. I was blessed to have been able to work with him multiple times as he continued his service to Country and Corps. (see picture below). I was able to get to know his wife Knox and family.

I recall a story I was told about his efforts to build the Korean Memorial in D.C. He was spearheading the financial efforts. There is a historical picture of him as a Marine holding the hand of a Korean child walking up a hill. That child I was told was willing to give a sizable donation to the monument, with the request being the General came to get it.

I had the honor of General Davis retiring me from the Marines in 1996 with his wife Knox. My son at the time was in middle school and had no idea who this man was, but when he joined the Marines, he quickly learned his story. The General asked what he could do for me at the retirement, and all I wanted was for him to wear his medal, of which he did. I was honored. (see picture)

The support and recognition given to him during his funeral cannot be compared to any that I have seen or maybe will ever see again. From closing down I-20 as the procession rolled through the exit/entry ramps, people waving flags at the over heads and the number of military dignitaries was so overwhelming. I remember being in awe at seeing the living Commandants of the Marine Corps who were there to pay homage to such a hero. I was honored to be in their presence. I will forever be grateful to have had the opportunity to have been in his presence and have gotten to know him.
~ GySgt Turney (interview from 7/20/2022)

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