John Davis
BornCedarville, New Jersey
DiedNew York City, New York
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
RankQuarter Gunner
UnitUSS Valley City
Awards Medal of Honor

Quarter Gunner John Davis (died 17 November 1863) was an American sailor who fought in the American Civil War. Davis received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action aboard the USS Valley City on 10 February 1862. He was honored with the award on 3 April 1863.[1][2]

Biography

Davis was born in the Cedarville section of Lawrence Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey.[3] He enlisted into the United States Navy from New Jersey. Davis died in the New York City Naval Hospital on 17 November 1863 (possibly due to his injuries) and was buried at an unknown location. [4]

Medal of Honor citation

Served on board the U.S.S. Valley City during action against rebel fort batteries and ships off Elizabeth City, N.C., on 10 February 1862. When a shell from the shore penetrated the side and passed through the magazine, exploding outside the screen on the berth deck, several powder division protecting bulkheads were torn to pieces and the forward part of the berth deck set on fire. Showing great presence of mind, Davis courageously covered a barrel of powder with his own body and prevented an explosion, while at the same time passing powder to provide the division on the upper deck while under fierce enemy fire.[1][2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Civil War (A-L) Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  2. 1 2 "John Davis". Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  3. ↑ Staff. "Help solve a Cumberland County history mystery: Where is Civil War Medal of Honor recipient John Davis buried?", The News of Cumberland County, July 7, 2009. Accessed May 14, 2017. "With memories fresh in our minds of tributes to our brave men and women of the Armed Forces, a question has been posed by an anonymous reader about one of Cumberland County's three Medal of Honor recipients, John Davis.... Davis, a quarter gunner with the U.S. Navy, was born in Cedarville."
  4. ↑ Lost to History
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