George A. Davis Jr.’s FIRST Distinguished Flying Cross citation
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AUTHORIZED BY ACT OF CONGRESS JULY 2, 1926 HAS
AWARDED
THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
TO
CAPTAIN (AIR CORPS) GEORGE ANDREW DAVIS, JR.
UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCES
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) George Andrew Davis, Jr. (ASN: 0-671514/13035A), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight as Pilot of a P-47 Aircraft of the 342d Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, over Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 10 December 1944. This officer, leading a flight of four P-47s on a patrol mission to Ormoc Bay, was attacked by four enemy fighters. He chased one of them, firing short bursts, but caused no damage. When two more hostile aircraft were sighted at 14,000 feet, Captain Davis led his flight after them and after a five-minute chase closed to approximately 75 yards on one of the fighters and opened fire from directly astern. This plane exploded in mid-air over Cebu Island. Captain Davis then went after a second fighter and caught it near Negros Island. He started firing from a range of 300 yards and held his fire until the aircraft went into the clouds. When he emerged from the clouds, the pilot of the Japanese airplane was descending in his parachute. The outstanding courage and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Davis are worthy of the highest commendation.
Born: 1 December 1920, Dublin, Texas… Enlisted in Army in 1942 before becoming aviation cadet… One of only seven US pilots to become an ace in two conflicts, shooting down seven Japanese planes during World War II and 14 during the Korean War… One of just seven U.S. pilots to earn ace status in two wars… Also awarded the Medal of Honor (posthumously), Distinguished Service Cross, three Silver Stars, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, and the Purple Heart… Killed in action on 10 February 1952… Interred: City of Lubbock Cemetery, Lubbock, Texas