Joseph H. Davis (Medal of Honor)

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Joseph H. Davis
Born(1860-07-22)July 22, 1860
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
DiedJune 19, 1903(1903-06-19) (aged 42)
Place of burial
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Navy
RankLandsman
UnitUSS Dale
AwardsMedal of Honor

Joseph H. Davis (July 22, 1860 – June 19, 1903) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Biography[edit]

Born on July 22, 1860, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Davis joined the Navy from that city.[1] By January 22, 1886, he was serving as a landsman on the receiving ship USS Dale. On that day, while at Norfolk, Virginia, he jumped overboard from a ferry and rescued Ordinary Seaman John Norman from drowning. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.[2]

Davis's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

On board the U.S. Receiving Ship Dale off the Wharf at Norfolk, Va., 22 January 1886. Jumping overboard from the ferryboat, Davis rescued from drowning John Norman, ordinary seaman.[2]

Davis left the Navy while still a landsman. He died on June 19, 1903, at age 42 and was buried at Montrose Cemetery in Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania.[3]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Joseph H. Davis". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Medal of Honor recipients - Interim Awards, 1871–1898". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 5, 2010. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  3. ^ "Joseph H Davis". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved September 4, 2021.