World War II Honoree

James 'Jim' R. Davis

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Erie County, Ohio

Honored By

Sam E. Pennartz

ENLISTED IN THE ARMY ON 5 FEBRUARY 1943 AT TOLEDO, OHIO. AFTER BASIC MILITARY TRAINING, HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 2ND BATTALION, 12TH CAVALRY REGIMENT OF THE 1ST CAVALRY DIVISION AT FORT BLISS NEAR EL PASO, TEXAS. ON 20 JUNE 1943, HE ARRIVED VIA TROOP TRAIN FOR PRE-DEPLOYMENT STAGING AT CAMP STONEMAN NEAR PITTSBURG, CALIFORNIA. ON 3 JULY 1943, HE SAILED ABOARD THE USAT GEORGE WASHINGTON FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO PORT OF EMBARKATION TO THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATRE OF OPERATIONS. ON 26 JULY 1943, HE ARRIVED AT THE BRISBANE PORT OF DEBARKATION IN QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA AND BEGAN SIX MONTHS OF JUNGLE TRAINING AT NEARBY CAMP STRATHPINE. ON 15 JANUARY 1944, HE SAILED WITH THE UNIT TO ORO BAY IN NEW GUINEA WHERE THEY ESTABLISHED CAMP BORIO FOR AMPHIBIOUS LANDING TRAINING. ON 29 FEBRUARY 1944, HE TOOK PART IN OPERATION BREWER WITH THE INITIAL ASSAULT ON LOS NEGROS IN THE ADMIRALTY ISLANDS, NORTH OF NEW GUINEA. HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION DURING THE BATTLE OF LOS NEGROS ON 13 MARCH 1944.