SERGEANT
RODNEY MAXWELL DAVIS, USMC (DECEASED)
Medal of Honor Citation
Rodney Maxwell Davis, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during September 1967 in Vietnam, was born 7 April 1942, in Macon, Georgia. He attended elementary and high schools there, and graduated from Peter G. Appling High School in 1961.
Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in his hometown on 31 August 1961; he then reported for recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon completion of recruit training in December 1961, he was transferred to the Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and underwent individual combat training with the 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry Training Regiment, graduating the following February.
He then joined Company K, 3d Battalion, 2d Marines, 2d Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune and served as a rifleman until May 1964. While stationed at Camp Lejeune, he was promoted to private first class, 1 April 1962, and to lance corporal, 1 January 1964.
Lance Corporal Davis was ordered to London, England, for a three-year tour of duty as Guard with the U.S. Marine Detachment, Naval Activities. He was promoted to corporal, 1 January 1966, and to sergeant, 1 December 1966.
Ordered to the Republic of Vietnam in August 1967, he was assigned duty as a platoon guide with Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. While serving as the right guide of the Second Platoon against enemy forces in Quang Nam Province on 6 September 1967, he was mortally wounded when he threw himself upon a hand grenade to save his comrades from injury and possible death.
His medals and decorations include: the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Military Merit Medal, the Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Vietnam War 1965-1973 Medal of Honor