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Graphic reads “AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR; Honoring Marines from Our Legacy; BLACK HISTORY MONTH; SERGEANT, RODNEY M. DAVIS, UNIT: 1BN, 5MAR, 1MARDIV; VIETNAM WAR, SEPTEMBER 1967.” The layout consists of a brown cloth texture background with an image of the Medal of Honor in the upper left corner in color. Additionally, a photo of Oscar Austin has been subdued and blended into the background. The graphic was created on January 27, 2022 at Communication Strategy & Operations, Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, Ca. and intended for use by Marine Corps Installations West to highlight African American Marine Medal of Honor recipients during the African American History Month. (U.S. Marine Corps graphics by David G. Smith)
Citation included: The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to SERGEANT RODNEY M. DAVIS, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the right guide of the Second Platoon, Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division, in action against enemy forces in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, on September 6, 1967. Elements of the Second Platoon were pinned down by a numerically superior force of attacking North Vietnamese Army Regulars. Remnants of the platoon were located in a trench line where Sergeant Davis was directing the fire of his men in an attempt to repel the enemy attack. Disregarding the enemy hand grenades and high volume of small arms and mortar fire, Sergeant Davis moved from man to man shouting words of encouragement to each of them firing and throwing grenades at the onrushing enemy. When an enemy grenade landed in the trench in the midst of his men, Sergeant Davis, realizing the gravity of the situation, and in a final valiant act of complete self-sacrifice, instantly threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing with his own body the full and terrific force of the explosion. Through his extraordinary initiative and inspiring valor in the face of almost certain death, Sergeant Davis saved his comrades from injury and possible loss of life, enabled his platoon to hold its vital position, and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. /S/ RICHARD M. NIXON
| Date Taken: | 01.27.2022 |
| Published: | 02-03-22 04:40 PM |
| Graphic ID: | 18959 |
| VIRIN: | 220127-M-VL690-004 |
| Size: | 3.22 MB |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 15 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Black History Month Davis, by David Smith, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
