Medal of Honor: Charles W. Davis – World War II – Guadalcanal – January 1943

Name: Charles W. Davis
Rank: Major (then Captain)
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: 25th Infantry Division
Place: Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands
Entered Service At: Montgomery, Alabama
Born: Gordo, Alabama

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Summary of Action

On 12 January 1943, during bitter jungle fighting on Guadalcanal, Major Charles W. Davis was serving as executive officer of an infantry battalion whose leading companies had become pinned down by intense Japanese machinegun fire. With units trapped in overlapping fields of fire, the situation threatened to stall the battalion’s advance.

Volunteering for the most dangerous task, Major Davis personally carried critical instructions forward through enemy fire to the embattled companies. Reaching the exposed positions, he delivered the orders, supervised their execution, and remained with the forward elements throughout the night, sharing the danger faced by his men.

The following day, when the battalion resumed its attack and again encountered fierce resistance, Major Davis once more stepped forward. Volunteering to lead the assault himself, he moved at the head of the attack. When his rifle jammed after the first shot, he drew his pistol and, standing fully exposed, waved his men forward and led them over the crest of the hill.

Inspired by his fearless example, additional troops surged forward. The hill was seized, enemy resistance collapsed, and the breakthrough enabled the battalion to continue its advance and secure the corps objective. Major Davis’s leadership and personal courage directly turned a stalled engagement into decisive success.

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Medal of Honor Citation

For distinguishing himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy on Guadalcanal Island. On 12 January 1943, Maj. Davis (then Capt.), executive officer of an infantry battalion, volunteered to carry instructions to the leading companies of his battalion which had been caught in crossfire from Japanese machineguns. With complete disregard for his own safety, he made his way to the trapped units, delivered the instructions, supervised their execution, and remained overnight in this exposed position.

On the following day, Maj. Davis again volunteered to lead an assault on the Japanese position which was holding up the advance. When his rifle jammed at its first shot, he drew his pistol and, waving his men on, led the assault over the top of the hill. Electrified by this action, another body of soldiers followed and seized the hill. The capture of this position broke Japanese resistance and the battalion was then able to proceed and secure the corps objective. The courage and leadership displayed by Maj. Davis inspired the entire battalion and unquestionably led to the success of its attack.