Paris Davis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paris Davis
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Davis in 2023
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| Born | 13 May 1939 Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1959–1985 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands held | 10th Special Forces Group |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Soldier's Medal Bronze Star Medal (2) with "V" device Purple Heart (2) Air Medal (2) with "V" device Army Commendation Medal (4) with "V" device |
Paris D. Davis (born 13 May 1939) is a retired United States Army officer. He received the Medal of Honor on March 3, 2023. This award was for his incredibly brave actions on June 18, 1965, during the Vietnam War. He had been nominated for this highest award twice before. However, the paperwork for his nomination disappeared both times. Instead, Captain Davis, who was part of the 5th Special Forces Group, received the Silver Star. Later in his career, he led the 10th Special Forces Group.
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Early Life and Military Training
Davis studied political science at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He attended college on a special scholarship called the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). This program helps students become officers in the military after they graduate.
Davis officially became an officer in the Army Reserve on June 1, 1959. He then earned special qualifications in 1960 to be an Airborne soldier and a Ranger. In 1962, he became qualified for the Special Forces. These are elite military units that handle difficult and dangerous missions. His first overseas assignments included South Korea, South Vietnam (from 1962 to 1963), and Okinawa, Japan.
In April 1965, Davis began his second tour of duty in South Vietnam. He took command of Team A-321 of the 5th Special Forces Group. This team was stationed at Camp Bồng Sơn.
Heroic Actions in Vietnam
On June 18, 1965, Captain Davis and three other American Special Forces soldiers led a Vietnamese company into battle. This company was the 883rd Regional Forces Company of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). They were attacking a base used by the Viet Cong (VC), who were enemy fighters.
The mission began shortly after midnight. After a successful attack, part of the Vietnamese company started to retreat. Captain Davis went to reorganize them. Suddenly, they were hit by heavy machine gun fire. Davis was wounded in the hand by a grenade fragment. He heard more firing and learned that the rest of his company was under attack.
When Davis reached the main group, the enemy had them trapped in an open field. They were firing automatic weapons and mortars. Davis ordered his soldiers to fire back, but many were too scared. He started firing himself, moving along the line to encourage his men.
Enemy fighters tried to overrun their position from both sides. Davis bravely fought them off, killing several with his rifle and grenades. When his M16 jammed, he used his pistol and even fought hand-to-hand.
One of his American teammates, Master Sergeant Billy Waugh, was shot in the foot. Davis tried to reach him in the open field, but the enemy fire was too intense. Another teammate, Staff Sergeant David Morgan, was knocked out by a mortar round. Davis found a sniper who was firing at Morgan, killed him, and then threw a grenade into the sniper's hiding spot.
Davis managed to contact an air support pilot, Captain Bronson. Captain Bronson called in fighter jets to drop bombs on the enemy. Davis then ran out and pulled Staff Sergeant Morgan to safety.
The enemy tried to attack again. Davis grabbed a machine gun and fired, forcing the enemy to retreat. He then set up a mortar and fired several rounds. He ran out again to try and rescue Sergeant Waugh, who had been wounded four times. Davis was shot in the leg as he ran for cover.
Despite his injuries, Davis kept going. When more jets arrived, he ran out again. This time, he was shot in the wrist. But he finally managed to pick up Sergeant Waugh and carry him through heavy gunfire to safety. He called for a medical helicopter to evacuate Waugh.
As Waugh was being loaded onto the helicopter, another American soldier, Sergeant First Class Reinburg, got off. Reinburg ran to help the Vietnamese company and was shot in the chest almost immediately. Davis rushed to Reinburg, gave him first aid, and with Morgan's help, pulled him to safety.
The fighting continued for hours. Davis refused to leave until all Americans were safe. Sergeant Reinburg was eventually evacuated. The battle lasted about fourteen hours. Davis finally managed to get Specialist Brown, who had been lying wounded in the field, to safety when reinforcements arrived.
For his incredible bravery and leadership that day, Davis first received the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.
Medal of Honor Recognition
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Captain Davis was first nominated for the Medal of Honor in 1965. However, the Army somehow lost the paperwork for his nomination. In 1969, an investigation was launched, but no record of the original nomination could be found. So, the nomination was sent in again, but it was lost a second time. Some people believe that racism may have played a part in these nominations being lost, as Davis is African-American.
In January 2021, the acting Secretary of Defense, Christopher C. Miller, ordered a fast review of Davis's lost nomination. He wanted it completed by March 2021. In June 2021, Miller wrote that the military system was still delaying the review. He strongly urged President Joe Biden to award Davis the Medal of Honor. Finally, in November 2022, it was reported that the nomination had been approved by top military leaders. On February 14, 2023, it was officially confirmed that Davis would finally receive the Medal of Honor.
Life After the Military
Davis retired from the Army as a colonel in 1985. After his military career, he published the Metro Herald newspaper in Virginia for 30 years. He is now retired and lives in Arlington County, Virginia.
In 2019, Paris Davis was honored by being inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame. This special place recognizes the most outstanding Rangers in Army history.
Honors and Awards
Colonel Davis has received many important awards for his service and bravery. Some of his top honors include:
- Medal of Honor
- Soldier's Medal
- Bronze Star Medal (with "V" device for valor and an oak leaf cluster)
- Purple Heart (with an oak leaf cluster)
- Air Medal (with "V" device and the number 2)
- Army Commendation Medal (with "V" device and three oak leaf clusters)
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- Special Forces Tab
- Ranger Tab
- Master Parachutist Badge
See also
