World War II Honoree

Frank A. Davis

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

San Diego, California

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: LIEUTENANT COMMANDER. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 32 MONTHS. SERVED AS COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE MINESWEEPER, USS PIGEON, ASR-6, ASSIGNED TO THE SUBMARINE SQUADRON-20 STATIONED IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. HE AND HIS CREW WHERE ON SHORE WHEN A JAPANESE DIVE-BOMBER, BOMBED AND SANK THEIR SHIP AND WAS CAPTURED MAY 4, 1942 DURING THE INVASION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. HE WAS HELD CAPTIVE AT THE PRISONER OF WAR CAMP #1 CABANATUAN, TARLAC LUZON. ON DECEMBER 13, 1944 HE BOARDED THE JAPANESE ‘HELL SHIP’ ORYOKU MARU ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER PRISONERS DESTINED FOR JAPAN VIA FORMOSA. WHILE ANCHORED IN THE SUBIC BAY HARBOR, THE ORYOKU WAS ATTACKED AND SUNK DECEMBER 15, 1944 BY U.S. NAVAL AIRCRAFT ASSIGNED TO THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER, USS HORNET. HE SURVIVED THE ASSAULT AND WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE ENOURA MARU ANOTHER ‘HELL SHIP’ AND TRANSPORTED TO HONG KONG, FORMOSA. WHILE ANCHORED IN TAKAO HARBOR, FORMOSA, FIGHTER AIRCRAFT FROM THE USS HORNET ALSO ATTACKED THE ENOURA MARU. HE DIED FROM THE BOMBARDMENT AND WAS REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION, JANUARY 9, 1945 AND MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY, FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE NAVY CROSS, LEGION OF MERIT AND THE PURPLE HEART.