Louis Hudler Davis
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

In October 1951, First Lieutenant Louis Hudler Davis was serving as a Platoon Leader with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 6 October, 1LT Davis' unit was engaged with enemy forces in the vicinity of Kung-dong, Korea. That night, 1LT Davis led his platoon against a force occupying heavily fortified hill positions on a strategic slope. As his platoon advanced they were subjected to a devastating volume of enemy small-arms and automatic weapons fire. The men sought what cover they could on the bare hillside in an effort to escape the heavy fire. Knowing that his men faced annihilation in their open positions, 1LT Davis exposed himself to the intense fire in order to seek out the concealed enemy emplacements. He then directed the fire of his men, constantly moving among them across the fire-swept terrain, shouting words of encouragement. The counterfire of 1LT Davis' men proved so effective that it enabled other friendly units to also advance against the hostile positions. This allowed the enemy troops to be driven from the objective with heavy casualties. Mortally wounded in this action, 1LT Davis continued to direct the fire of his men until he died. His extraordinary heroic actions and inspiring leadership earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Louis H. Davis (ASN: 0-1330524), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company K, 3d Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Davis distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Kung-dong, Korea, on the night of 6 October 1951. On that night, Lieutenant Davis led his platoon against a fanatical force occupying heavily fortified hill positions on a strategic slope. As the friendly troops advanced, they were subjected to a devastating volume of enemy small-arms and automatic weapons fire. The men sought what cover they could on the bare hillside in an effort to escape the heavy fire. Realizing that his men faced annihilation in their open positions, Lieutenant Davis exposed himself to the intense fire in order to seek out the concealed enemy emplacements. He then directed the fire of his men, constantly moving among them across the fire-swept terrain, shouting words of encouragement. The counterfire of the friendly troops commanded by Lieutenant Davis proved so effective that it enabled other friendly units to advance against the hostile positions and to drive the enemy troops from the objective with heavy casualties. Although he was mortally wounded in this action, Lieutenant Davis, with strength ebbing fast, remained with his men and continued to direct their fire until he succumbed.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 50 (January 25, 1952)

Burial

First Lieutenant Louis Hudler Davis is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Victoria, Victoria County, TX.

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