World War II Honoree

Jasper Davis, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Stokes County, North Carolina

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: PRIVATE. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 208 DAYS. SERVED WITH F-COMPANY, 2ND BATTALION, 31ST INFANTRY REGIMENT, PHILIPPINE DIVISION STATIONED IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. WHILE FIGHTING AND RETREATING TO THE BATAAN PENINSULA, THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES CAPTURED HIM APRIL 9, 1942 DURING THE INVASION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. FORCED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH AND WAS HELD CAPTIVE IN AN UNKNOWN PRISONER OF WAR CAMP. HE WAS REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1942 AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY LOCATED AT FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINES. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: BRONZE STAR. THE BRONZE STAR WAS AWARDED TO THE SOLDIER FOR BRAVERY, ACT OF MERIT AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE IN COMBAT. HIS REGIMENT WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 2 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR EXCEPTIONAL VALOR AND HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES.