Medal of Honor: Raymond G. Davis – Korean War – December 1–4, 1950

Name: Raymond Gilbert Davis
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Organization: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced)
Place and Date: Vicinity of Hagaru-ri, Korea – 1–4 December 1950
Entered Service At: Atlanta, Georgia
Born: January 13, 1915 – Fitzgerald, Georgia
Departed: September 3, 2003
Accredited To: Georgia

---

Summary of Action

From December 1 through December 4, 1950, Lieutenant Colonel Raymond G. Davis led the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines on one of the most daring and demanding operations of the Chosin Reservoir campaign. Ordered to break through surrounding Chinese forces, advance eight miles along icy mountain trails, and relieve a trapped rifle company, Davis drove his battalion forward in brutal subzero conditions.

Immediately encountering entrenched enemy forces on dominating high ground, Davis personally spearheaded the assault up steep, ice-coated slopes under intense fire. He led hand-to-hand fighting at the crest, cleared the ridges, and reorganized his battalion before continuing the advance. Throughout the night he traversed multiple ridgelines, moving among his Marines, encouraging them, and identifying routes despite the constant fire.

Knocked down by shell fragments and two bullets that pierced his clothing, he rose and fought on at the front of his battalion until they reached the isolated rifle company by daybreak. With the trapped Marines safely recovered, he continued the mission, seizing the vital mountain pass that controlled the only route for two Marine regiments attempting to escape encirclement.

Repeated assaults crashed against his positions throughout December 3, but Davis held the ground, evacuating wounded and protecting the withdrawal of thousands of Marines. On December 4, he led his battalion into Hagaru-ri intact — having saved a company from destruction and secured the passage that allowed the division to break free.

---

Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Although keenly aware that the operation involved breaking through a surrounding enemy and advancing 8 miles along primitive icy trails in the bitter cold with every passage disputed by a savage and determined foe, Lt. Col. Davis boldly led his battalion into the attack in a daring attempt to relieve a beleaguered rifle company and to seize, hold, and defend a vital mountain pass controlling the only route available for 2 marine regiments in danger of being cut off by numerically superior hostile forces during their re-deployment to the port of Hungnam.

When the battalion immediately encountered strong opposition from entrenched enemy forces commanding high ground in the path of the advance, he promptly spearheaded his unit in a fierce attack up the steep, ice-covered slopes in the face of withering fire and, personally leading the assault groups in a hand-to-hand encounter, drove the hostile troops from their positions, rested his men, and reconnoitered the area under enemy fire to determine the best route for continuing the mission.

Always in the thick of the fighting Lt. Col. Davis led his battalion over 3 successive ridges in the deep snow in continuous attacks against the enemy and, constantly inspiring and encouraging his men throughout the night, brought his unit to a point within 1,500 yards of the surrounded rifle company by daybreak. Although knocked to the ground when a shell fragment struck his helmet and 2 bullets pierced his clothing, he arose and fought his way forward at the head of his men until he reached the isolated marines.

On the following morning, he bravely led his battalion in securing the vital mountain pass from a strongly entrenched and numerically superior hostile force, carrying all his wounded with him, including 22 litter cases and numerous ambulatory patients. Despite repeated savage and heavy assaults by the enemy, he stubbornly held the vital terrain until the 2 regiments of the division had deployed through the pass and, on the morning of 4 December, led his battalion into Hagaru-ri intact.

By his superb leadership, outstanding courage, and brilliant tactical ability, Lt. Col. Davis was directly instrumental in saving the beleaguered rifle company from complete annihilation and enabled the 2 marine regiments to escape possible destruction. His valiant devotion to duty and unyielding fighting spirit in the face of almost insurmountable odds enhance and sustain the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.