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{{short description|American Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient}}
{{Infobox military person
| name          = Rodney Maxwell Davis
| birth_date    = {{Birth date|1942|4|7}}
| death_date    = {{Death date and age|1967|9|6|1942|4|7}}
| birth_place   = [[Macon, Georgia]], U.S.
| death_place   = [[Que Son District]], [[Quảng Nam Province]], [[South Vietnam]]
| placeofburial = [[Linwood Cemetery (Macon, Georgia)|Linwood Cemetery]], [[Macon, Georgia]]
| placeofburial_label = Place of burial
| image         = Davis HM USMC.jpg
| caption       = 
| nickname      = 
| allegiance    = [[United States of America]]
| branch        = {{flag|United States Marine Corps}}
| serviceyears  = 1961–1967
| rank          = [[File:USMC-E5.svg|20px]] [[Sergeant#United States|Sergeant]]
| commands      = 
| unit          = Company B, [[1st Battalion 5th Marines|1st Battalion, 5th Marines]], [[1st Marine Division (United States)|1st Marine Division]]
| battles       = '''[[Vietnam War]]'''
*[[Operation Swift]] {{KIA}}
| awards        = [[Medal of Honor]]<br/>[[Purple Heart Medal]]<br/>[[Combat Action Ribbon]]<br/>[[Vietnam Military Merit Medal|Republic of Vietnam Military Merit Medal]]<br/>[[Vietnam Gallantry Cross|Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross]]
| laterwork     = 
}}
'''Rodney Maxwell Davis''' (April 7, 1942 &ndash; September 6, 1967) was a non-commissioned officer in the [[United States Marine Corps]] who was [[Posthumous recognition|posthumously]] awarded the [[Medal of Honor]] for heroism above and beyond the call of duty in 1967, during the [[Vietnam War]].

Davis joined the Marine Corps in 1961 and was ordered to the [[Republic of Vietnam]] in 1967. In September 1967, during a [[search and destroy]] exercise as part of [[Operation Swift]], Davis' company was attacked by enemies. When his platoon retreated into a [[trench]], Davis ran up and down his company's line and encouraged the men to fight, returning fire at the same time. When an enemy grenade came close to several men, Davis jumped on the grenade, saving his men's lives.

==Biography==
Davis was born on April 7, 1942, in [[Macon, Georgia]], to Gordon N. Davis and Ruth A. Davis. He attended elementary school and high school there and graduated from Peter G. Appling High School, May 29, 1961.

Shortly after graduation, Davis enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in his hometown on August 31, 1961; then reported for recruit training with the First Recruit Training Battalion [[Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island]], [[South Carolina]]. Upon completion of recruit training in December 1961, Davis was transferred to the [[Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune]], [[North Carolina]], and underwent Individual Combat Training with the Second Battalion, First Infantry Training Regiment, graduating the following February.

Davis then joined Company K, [[3rd Battalion 2nd Marines|3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines]], [[2nd Marine Division (United States)|2nd Marine Division]], [[Fleet Marine Force|FMF]], at Camp Lejeune and served as a rifleman until May 1964.  While stationed at Camp Lejeune, he was promoted to [[private first class]] on April 1, 1962, and to [[Lance Corporal#United States|lance corporal]] on January 1, 1964.

As a lance corporal, Davis was ordered to London, England, for a three-year tour of duty as a Guard with the United States Marine Detachment, Naval Activities.  He was promoted to [[Corporal#United States|corporal]] on January 1, 1966, and to [[Sergeant#United States|sergeant]] on December 1, 1966.

Ordered to the [[South Vietnam|Republic of Vietnam]] in August 1967, Davis was assigned duty as a Platoon Guide with Company B, [[1st Battalion 5th Marines|First Battalion]], [[5th Marine Regiment (United States)|Fifth Marines]], [[1st Marine Division (United States)|First Marine Division]]. On September 6, 1967, he was operating with his unit in the [[Quảng Nam Province]] on a search and clear mission during [[Operation Swift]], when they were attacked by a large [[North Vietnam]]ese force.  Elements of the [[platoon]] were pinned down in a [[trench]] line by [[mortar (weapon)|mortar]]s, heavy automatic and small-arms fire. Davis went from man to man encouraging them on and also returning fire at the same time. An enemy [[hand grenade]] fell in the trenches his men were fighting from and without hesitation, Davis [[falling on a grenade|threw himself upon the grenade]], saving his fellow Marines in this selfless act and thus earned the nation's highest military decoration: the [[Medal of Honor]].

Presentation of the medal was made posthumously to Davis' widow, Mrs. Judy P. Davis, by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew in his office. The presentation is "in the name of the Congress of the United States."<ref>{{cite journal|last=Davis|first=Rodney|title=The Crisis|date=June–July 1969 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=21sEAAAAMBAJ&q=Crisis+Magazine+1923&pg=PA231|access-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref>

Davis was survived by his wife, Judy, and two daughters, Nichola Davis and Samantha J. Davis-Steen. His grandson, [[Tyler Steen]], was drafted by the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] in the [[2023 NFL draft]].<ref>{{cite web |author1-link=17 August 2023 |title=Eagles rookie Tyler Steen draws inspiration from his grandfather's valor that earned the Medal of Honor |url=https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-tyler-steen-rodney-davis-grandfather-medal-honor-memorial-day-vietnam-20230529.html |publisher=Philadelphia Inquirer |access-date=17 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529101554/https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-tyler-steen-rodney-davis-grandfather-medal-honor-memorial-day-vietnam-20230529.html |archive-date=29 May 2023}}</ref>

==After death==
The City of Macon did not allow black decedents to be buried inside the city limits in 1967, in specific cemeteries. Davis was buried in an all-black cemetery in the city.  About 2010, several white Marines were driving by Macon, including one man who was saved by Davis. They stopped to pay their respects at his gravesite and were angered to find that the wooden monument to Davis was rotting, and the cemetery was covered in weeds and had many headstones falling over.  They removed all the weeds around Davis's grave and many graves around it, and cleaned up a section of the cemetery before leaving.  The 1st Battalion, 5th Marines Association was informed and donations arranged. Civilians and other Marines, families, and surviving spouses accumulated over $60,000 and a large, granite monument was built at Davis's grave site. Several times a year, a gathering is organized and the entire cemetery is weeded and tended to. Donations continue to be accumulated and are now used mainly for scholarships of deserving children.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1-5vietnamveterans.org/PDF/DavisMemorial_news032012.pd/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528224953/http://www.1-5vietnamveterans.org/PDF/DavisMemorial_news032012.pd/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 28, 2016|title=1/5 Vietnam Veterans|website=1/5 Vietnam Veterans|access-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1stmarinedivisionassociation.org/|title=1st Marine Division|website=www.1stMarineDivisionAssociation.org|access-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref>

==Military awards==
Davis' decorations and awards include: 
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Medal of Honor ribbon.svg}}
|
|-
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Combat Action Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
||{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=U.S. Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Vietnam Military Merit Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Vietnamese Gallantry Cross, with palm.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=106}}
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|
|[[Medal of Honor]]
|
|-
|[[Purple Heart Medal]]
|[[Combat Action Ribbon]]
|[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Navy Presidential Unit Citation]]
|-
|[[Good Conduct Medal (United States)|Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal]] w/ one {{frac|3|16}}" [[Service star|bronze star]]
|[[National Defense Service Medal]]
|[[Vietnam Service Medal]] w/ one {{frac|3|16}}" [[Service star|bronze star]]
|-
|[[Vietnam Military Merit Medal|Republic of Vietnam Military Merit Medal]]
|[[Vietnam Gallantry Cross|Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross]] w/ palm
|[[Vietnam Campaign Medal|Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/ 1960- device]]
|}

== Medal of Honor citation==
The [[President of the United States]] in the name of The [[United States Congress|Congress]] takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
{{center|'''SERGEANT RODNEY M. DAVIS'''<br/>UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS}}
for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:
<blockquote>
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the right guide of the Second Platoon, Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division, in action against enemy forces in Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, on September 6, 1967.  Elements of the Second Platoon were pinned down by a numerically superior force of attacking North Vietnamese Army Regulars.  Remnants of the platoon were located in a trench line where Sergeant Davis was directing the fire of his men in an attempt to repel the enemy attack.  Disregarding the enemy [[hand grenade]]s and high volume of [[small arms]] and [[mortar (weapon)|mortar]] fire, Sergeant Davis moved from man to man shouting words of encouragement to each of them firing and throwing grenades at the onrushing enemy.  When an enemy grenade landed in the trench in the midst of his men, Sergeant Davis, realizing the gravity of the situation, and in a final valiant act of complete self-sacrifice, instantly threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing with his own body the full and terrific force of the explosion.  Through his extraordinary initiative and inspiring valor in the face of almost certain death, Sergeant Davis saved his comrades from injury and possible loss of life, enabled his platoon to hold its vital position, and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the [[United States Department of the Navy|United States Naval Service]].  He gallantly gave his life for his country.
</blockquote>

{{center|/S/ [[Richard M. Nixon|''RICHARD M. NIXON'']]}}

==Legacy==
* The [[frigate]] {{USS|Rodney M. Davis|FFG-60}} was named in his honor. The decommissioned USS ''Rodney M. Davis'' hit by a missile as part of 2022 RIMPAC exercises. (U.S. Navy, courtesy DVIDS) <ref>[https://taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-allies-destroy-frigate-rimpac-2022-video/ Here is the US Navy and its allies completely annihilating a decommissioned frigate as a message to China]</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography}}
*[[List of Medal of Honor recipients]]
*[[List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War#D|List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
*{{Cite web |access-date=October 5, 2010 |url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Davis_RM.htm |title=Official Marine Corps biography}}
*{{Cite web|access-date=October 5, 2010 |url=http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/000003c919889c0385255fa200754526?OpenDocument |title=Medal of Honor citation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714041419/http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/000003c919889c0385255fa200754526?OpenDocument |archive-date=July 14, 2007 }} 
*{{Cite web |access-date=October 5, 2010 |url=http://www.davis.navy.mil |title=USS ''Rodney M. Davis'' official website |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010301200124/http://www.davis.navy.mil/ |archive-date=March 1, 2001 }}
{{Marine Corps}}

==External links==
* {{Find a Grave|9874}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Davis, Rodney M.}}
[[Category:1942 births]]
[[Category:1967 deaths]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients]]
[[Category:American recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps non-commissioned officers]]
[[Category:People from Macon, Georgia]]
[[Category:Vietnam War recipients of the Medal of Honor]]
[[Category:Deaths by hand grenade]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps personnel killed in the Vietnam War]]