Medal of Honor: George Andrew Davis Jr. – U.S. Air Force – Korean War

Name: George Andrew Davis, Jr.
Rank: Major
Branch: U.S. Air Force
Unit: Commanding Officer, 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force
Aircraft: F-86 Sabre
Place: Near Sinuiju–Yalu River area, Korea
Entered Service At: Lubbock, Texas
Born: 1 December 1920, Dublin, Texas

Summary of Action

On 10 February 1952, Major George A. Davis, Jr. was leading a flight of four F-86 Sabrejet fighters on a combat air patrol near the Manchurian border. Shortly after the patrol began, his element leader experienced an oxygen failure and was forced to disengage, escorted by his wingman. Major Davis continued the mission with only two aircraft remaining under his command.

While patrolling near the Yalu River, Major Davis sighted a formation of approximately twelve enemy MiG-15 fighters moving south toward an area where United Nations fighter-bombers were conducting low-level attacks against Communist lines of communication. Fully aware of the overwhelming numerical superiority of the enemy and the extreme danger involved, Major Davis nevertheless chose to engage in order to protect the vulnerable strike aircraft below.

Skillfully positioning his two remaining Sabres, he led a high-speed diving attack directly into the MiG formation. Passing through the enemy fighters from the rear, he singled out one MiG-15 and destroyed it with a concentrated burst of fire. Despite now being under intense and continuous attack from multiple enemy aircraft, Major Davis pressed the assault, shooting down a second MiG-15, which erupted in smoke and flames and plunged earthward.

Rather than using his speed advantage to disengage and escape the concentrated enemy fire, Major Davis deliberately reduced speed and maneuvered to attack a third MiG-15. During this aggressive action, his aircraft was struck by enemy fire, went out of control, and crashed into mountainous terrain approximately thirty miles south of the Yalu River.

Major Davis’ fearless and relentless attack shattered the enemy formation, forcing the MiGs to break off and allowing the friendly fighter-bombers to complete their mission successfully. His actions saved numerous lives on the ground and ensured the success of a critical interdiction operation.

Medal of Honor Citation

DAVIS, GEORGE ANDREW, JR.

Major Davis distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. While leading a flight of four F-86 Sabrejets on a combat aerial patrol mission near the Manchurian border, Major Davis’ element leader ran out of oxygen and was forced to retire from the flight with his wingman accompanying him. Major Davis and the remaining F-86s continued the mission and sighted a formation of approximately twelve enemy MiG-15 aircraft speeding southward toward an area where friendly fighter-bombers were conducting low-level operations against Communist lines of communications. With selfless disregard for the numerical superiority of the enemy, Major Davis positioned his two aircraft, then dove at the MiG formation. While speeding through the formation from the rear he singled out a MiG-15 and destroyed it with a concentrated burst of fire. Although he was now under continuous fire from the enemy fighters to his rear, Major Davis sustained his attack. He fired at another MiG-15 which, bursting into smoke and flames, went into a vertical dive. Rather than maintain his superior speed and evade the enemy fire being concentrated on him, he elected to reduce his speed and sought out still a third MiG-15. During this latest attack his aircraft sustained a direct hit, went out of control, then crashed into a mountain thirty miles south of the Yalu River. Major Davis’ bold attack completely disrupted the enemy formation, permitting the friendly fighter-bombers to successfully complete their interdiction mission. Major Davis, by his indomitable fighting spirit, heroic aggressiveness, and superb courage in engaging the enemy against formidable odds, exemplified valor at its highest.