Named Navy Good Conduct group with Yangtze numbered

[army historian]

Hello I just traded for this group of 6 (double 3 medal mounted) group. The Good Conduct is named "William Lee Davis 1931" and the 1935 and 1939 dated bars have his name on back. The Yangtze Medal is numbered M.No 2367. I have been doing some research and have two possible 1942 Warrant Officers, and one LCDR. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks George

[Paul R]

Wow! That is an amazing bar and in great shape too. I would bet that this would be a great candidate for CWO.

[army historian]

Hello Paul, by my research (and help USMILITARIA) I have 1-2 WO's, and an LCDR. I am still working on nailing him down. One of them was on the USS Henley DD-391 at Pearl Harbor (during the attack). More later. Thanks George

[army historian]

A little more information: he is definitely the man that served on the USS Henley at Pearl Harbor 7 Dec. 1941. Man id’ with his re enlistment dates: EM2/EM1/CEM “William Lee Davis 1931” Service #336-57-74 (FrankEaton01 – USMILITARIA Forum). “William Lee Davis 1931” Service #336-57-74 is “William Lee Davis” SSN: 556-54-2293 born 22 October 1909 (Died 8 Dec 2001 Mesa, Arizona) and that Lieutenant William Lee Davis with temporary appointment on 1 July 1944, officer's service number 113111, with permanent rank as Warrant Electrician as of 2 July 1941, and born on 22 October 1909” (Tom Nier, USMILITARIA Forum from his 1944 Naval Officers book) are all the same person. Note: “William Lee Davis” SSN: 556-54-2293 born 22 October 1909 (Died 8 Dec 2001 Mesa, Arizona) has a Naval Officer's Cap Insignia on his tombstone. As time allows I will write the NPRC for his service information. I also found in the Navy Muster Rolls at Ancestry . com an entry for CEM “William Lee Davis” Service #336-57-74 being appointed Warrant Officer as of 2 July 1941, and then he disappears from the Musters rolls after Dec. 1941. George

Edited August 12, 2012 by army historian

[Paul R]

This is getting pretty exciting!!! Thank you for the update Sir!

[army historian]

Thanks Paul R, I will supply more information as I get it. Right now I am very happy to have a "full" ID on Davis (many many servicemen with this name). Now I know I can get a positive response from NPRC, and a full service record. George

[army historian]

Well it's taken a long while but after paying $70.00 to the National Archives I received about 2" of copy paperwork from Davis' enlisted file. Since it stops in 1943 (as Lt. J.G.) I called and asked for the rest (will see). There is request and transmittal letter for the Yangtze Service medal M.No. 2367 (so that is verified), for service on the USS John D. Edwards (DD-216) also on the USS Blackhawk (AD-9) these cover the entire period 1930-1932. Here is a condensed record:

Entered service 25 Nov. 1927 at Hannibal, Missouri, with Father’s consent (letter dated 25 Nov 1927. Discharged 24 Sep 1931 EM3

26 Mar. 1929 USS Meyer (DD-279) promoted from F3c to F2c Note: Early in 1929 the destroyer began inactivation overhaul and on 15 May 1929 was decommissioned at San Diego. On 17 June she was towed to Mare Island for scrapping. Struck 25 November 1930, her materials were sold 25 February 1932.

15 May 1929 transferred from USS Meyer to USS Reno DD-303

22 Jun 1929 F2C qualified as Expert Rifleman USS Reno.

29 Jun 1929 transferred from USS Reno to USS John D. Edwards (DD-216).

18 Aug 1929 entered the Asiatic Squadron – USS John D. Edwards (DD-216) operated along the West Coast until 1 August 1929 when she sailed for the Far East, arriving Yokohama 26 August. Edwards undertook a lengthy duty as part of the Asiatic Fleet. Operating out of the Philippines along the Chinese Coast and off Japan, she guarded American interests during the Sino-Japanese War in the late 1930s, underwent training and battle practice, and operated with the Yangtze River Patrol, South China Sea Patrol, and the Neutrality patrols.

16 Oct 1929 promoted to F1c.

14 Mar 1929 to R/S Cavite P.I for course at the Sound Motion Picture Technicians School (6 weeks). 21 Apr 1931 complete course.

12 Jan 1930 USS John D. Edwards (DD-216) qualified as Marksman.

30 Jun 1930 qualified as Motion Picture Operator.

25 Jan. 1931 USS John D. Edwards (DD-216) promoted from F1c to EM3 Manila, P.I.

25 Sep 1931 USS John D. Edwards (DD-216) re enlisted at Chefoo, China (4 years). Discription: age 21 years 11 months, Height 5’8”, weight 145 lbs, eyes Brown, Hair Dk. Brown, complexion Ruddy.

20 May 1932 transferred to USS Blackhawk AD-9 (Destroyer Squadron Five)

25 Feb. 1933 USS Blackhawk request for Good Conduct Medal Manila, P.I.

25 Feb. 1933 USS Blackhawk request for Yangtze Service Medal (service John D. Edwards) Manila, P.I.

20 May 1933 USS Blackhawk received Navy Good Conduct Medal engrave “William Lee Davis 1931”.

21 Aug 1933 received Yangtze Service Medal M. No. 2367

25 Sep 1933 transferred to US Peary (DD-226).

12 Jun 1934 – 20 Aug 1934 transferred to USS Chaumont (transport)

20 Aug 1934 received on the USS Barney (DD-149)

21 Mar 1935 Received Gas Mask instruction at Destroyer Base San Diego, CA

10 Jun 1935 Appointment Electrician Mate 2^nd.

24 Sep 1935 USS Barney Discharged this date with Honorable Discharge # C158527 by reason of expiration of enlistment: no time lost: Is recommended for Good Conduct Medal, having the required marks; net service 7 yrs, 10 months; on current enlistment: 4 years; final average all marks: 3.78. At San Diego, CA.

14 Feb1936 received Good Conduct Pin engraved “William Lee Davis, 1935”

9 Nov 1936 transferred from USS Barney to R/S Phila. Temp duty transfer to USS Winslow

17 Feb 1937 transferred to USS Winslow (DD-359)

1 Oct 1937 designation as Mail Clerk USS Winslow

16 Feb 1938 USS Winslow (DD-359) promoted to EM1c

26 Feb 1938 USS Winslow (DD-359)

15 Jul 1938 designation as Mail Clerk USS Winslow revoked

16 Jul 1938 trnsferred to Naval Research Lab., Washington D.C. for training interior Communications School.

13 Dec 1938 Naval Research Lab., Washington D.C. extension of enlistment 3 years

27 Jan 1939 transferred to R/S Norfolk, VA to USS Arkansas for duty on USS Sterett.

8 Feb 1939 trans to USS Arkansas

3 Apr 1939 transferred to Navy Yard Charleston, S.C. for duty USS Sterett

15 Aug 1939 transferred to USS Sterett upon commissioning

20 Sep 1939 Agreement to extend cancelled discharged C-230827 – for re enlistment and recommended for Good Conduct Medal.

22 Sep 1939 Re enlisted on USS Sterett for 4 years.

Note: Trade School Sound Motion picture technician Interior Communication School.

16 Dec. 1939 received Good Conduct pin Engraved “Davis, William Lee 1939”

6 Mar 1940 received gas instruction and passed through gas chamber.

12 Oct 1940 transferred from USS Sterett to USS Henley (DD391) Pearl Harbor, H.T.

28 Feb 1941 received appointment as Chief Electrician’s Mate(AA).

30 Apr. 1941 recommended for examination for Warrant Electrician.

18 Jul 1941 acting appointment Warrant Electrician USS Henley

7 Dec 1941 on Henley during Japanese attack.

15-22 Dec. 1941 Wake Island relief mission.

10 Feb. 1943 Commissioned Lieutenant (JG) USNR

End National Archives

More information:

According to the July 1944 Navy Register: Lieutenant William Lee Davis with temporary appointment on 1 July 1944 to Lieutenant File No. 102182.

13 Aug 1945 Navy Report of Change USS Fall River CA-131 for:
Name File # Rank
Davis, William L 102182 Lieutenant

USN Trans 11 Aug 1945 from Naval Landing Forces Depot, Albany, CA for duty on the USS Fall River.

Not sure but appears to have retired in 1947.

It appears he earned all the WW2 medals on his bars, and the Navy WW2 Occupation with "Asia" bar, and the China Service Medal (Extend) on the USS Fall River.

Edited May 16, 2013 by army historian

[Paul R]

This is awesome. You have some great groupings. Thanks for the update.

[army historian]

Thanks Paul - I appreciate the comments. I am hoping the Archives can supply a little more information.

I should have mentioned that: Davis was assigned to the USS Fall River CA-131 on 11 Aug 1945, he probably served on her until her decom in 1947. If so he would have qualified for the WW2 Navy Occupation Medal W/bar “Asia”, and the China Service Medal (Extended). The USS Fall River served a tour of duty in the Far East as flagship of Cruiser Division 1 from 12 January 1947 to 17 June 1947. Davis may have retired in Nov. 1947, or later. Fall River; and commissioned on 1 July 1945, Captain David Stolz Crawford in commanding.

On 31 October 1945, Fall River arrived at Norfolk, out of which she sailed in experimental development operations until 31 January 1946. The cruiser was assigned to JTF 1, organized to conduct Operation Crossroads, atomic weapons tests in the Marshall Islands in the summer of 1946. To prepare for this duty, Fall River sailed to San Pedro, California, where from 16 February to 6 March she was altered to provide flagship accommodations. Arriving at Pearl Harbor on 17 March, she embarked Rear Admiral F. G. Fahrion, commander of the target vessel's group for the tests, and with him sailed in the Marshalls between 21 May and 14 September.

After west coast training, Fall River served a tour of duty in the Far East as flagship of Cruiser Division 1 from 12 January 1947 to 17 June 1947. Authorized during WWII but completed too late to see service in that conflict, the Fall River was caught in the post-war economizing measures, despite her recent completion and lack of wartime damage. She returned to Puget Sound Navy Yard, where she was placed out of commission in reserve on 31 October 1947. Stricken on 19 February 1971, and sold on 28 August 1972 to Zidell Explorations Corp., Portland, Oregon.

George

Edited May 16, 2013 by army historian

[army historian]

I should of added in the records (partial) I received for Lt. William Lee Davis from NPRC is a letter of request from him for the Yangtze Service medal and a letter (ward transmittal) for the medal. See below George