IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 361
Expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death 
on September 3, 2003, of the late General Raymond G. Davis (United 
States Marine Corps, retired) and expressing the appreciation and admi-
ration of the House for the unwavering commitment demonstrated by 
General Davis to his family, the Marine Corps, and the Nation. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 9, 2003
Mr. DEAL of Georgia (for himself, Mr. BURNS, Mr. COLLINS, Mr. GINGREY, 
Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. KINGSTON, Mr. LINDER, and Mr. NORWOOD) sub-
mitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Armed Services 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives 
upon the death on September 3, 2003, of the late Gen-
eral Raymond G. Davis (United States Marine Corps, 
retired) and expressing the appreciation and admiration 
of the House for the unwavering commitment dem-
onstrated by General Davis to his family, the Marine 
Corps, and the Nation.
Whereas General Raymond Gilbert Davis (United States Ma-
rine Corps, retired) of Stockbridge, Georgia, an American 
hero who represented the supreme ideals of an American 
and a Marine, died on Wednesday, September 3, 2003, 
at the age of 88;
•HRES 361 IH 
Whereas Raymond Gilbert Davis, born on January 13, 1915, 
in Fitzgerald, Georgia, was commissioned as a second 
lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in 1938 
following graduation from the Georgia School of Tech-
nology; 
Whereas during World War II, he participated in the Guadal-
canal Tulagi landings, the capture and defense of Gua-
dalcanal, the Eastern New Guinea and Cape Gloucester 
campaigns, and the Peleliu operation; 
Whereas during the fighting on Peleliu, although wounded 
during the first hour of the landing, he refused evacu-
ation to remain with his men and, on one occasion, when 
heavy Marine casualties and the enemy’s point-blank can-
non fire had enabled the Japanese to break through, he 
personally rallied and led his men in fighting to reestab-
lish defense positions; 
Whereas his actions while commanding the 1st Battalion of 
the 1st Marines at Peleliu in September 1944 earned him 
the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart and a promotion 
to lieutenant colonel; 
Whereas returning to the United States in November 1944, 
Lieutenant Colonel Davis was assigned to the Quantico 
Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia, as Tactical Inspec-
tor, Marine Corps Schools, and was named chief of the 
Infantry Section, Marine Air-Infantry School, Quantico, 
in May 1945, and served in that post for two years be-
fore returning to the Pacific area in July 1947 to serve 
with the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade on Guam; 
Whereas following other peace-time duties, in August 1950 
he embarked for Korea to command the 1st Battalion, 
7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in the Korean conflict
•HRES 361 IH 
and, in that capacity, heroically enabled the historic 
breakout of the 1st Marine Division from an entrapment 
by overwhelming numbers of Chinese soldiers at the 
Chosin Reservoir in North Korea; 
Whereas on the night before the breakout then Lieutenant 
Colonel Davis led his battalion in an epic across-country 
fight against vastly superior numbers of entrenched 
enemy soldiers, across ice- and snow-covered terrain, in 
subzero temperatures to save a beleaguered rifle company 
and seize a critical mountain pass that enabled the es-
cape of two Marine regiments, arriving three days later 
at the port of Hagaru-ri with every one of his wounded 
Marines; 
Whereas as a result of his actions in Korea, Lieutenant Colo-
nel Davis was awarded the Medal of Honor for his ac-
tions in the Chosin Reservoir, twice earned the Silver 
Star Medal by exposing himself to heavy enemy fire while 
leading and encouraging his men in the face of strong 
enemy opposition, received the Legion of Merit with Com-
bat ‘‘V’’ for exceptionally meritorious conduct and profes-
sional skill in welding the 1st Battalion into a highly ef-
fective combat team, and earned the Bronze Star Medal 
with Combat ‘‘V’’ for his part in rebuilding the regiment 
after the Chosin Reservoir campaign; 
Whereas following service in the Korean conflict, Lieutenant 
Colonel Davis served in a series of increasingly respon-
sible staff and training positions, while being promoted to 
colonel in October 1953 and brigadier general in July 
1963; 
Whereas his first assignment as a general officer was in the 
Far East where he served as Assistant Division Com-
•HRES 361 IH 
mander, 3d Marine Division, on Okinawa, from October 
1963 to November 1964; 
Whereas he was assigned to Headquarters, Marine Corps, 
from December 1964 until March 1968 and during that 
service was awarded a second Legion of Merit and was 
promoted to major general; 
Whereas when ordered to the Republic of Vietnam in March 
1968, Major General Davis served briefly as Deputy 
Commanding General, Provisional Corps, and then be-
came Commanding General, 3d Marine Division where he 
was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and three 
personal decorations by the Vietnamese Government for 
service in the latter capacity from May 2, 1968 until 
April 14, 1969; 
Whereas upon his return to the United States in May 1969, 
he was assigned duty as Deputy for Education with addi-
tional duty as Director, Education Center, Marine Corps 
Development and Education Command, Quantico, Vir-
ginia, and upon his promotion to lieutenant general on 
July 1, 1970, he was assigned as Commanding General, 
Marine Corps Development and Education Command; 
Whereas on February 23, 1971, President Nixon nominated 
General Davis for appointment to the grade of general 
and assignment to the position of Assistant Commandant 
of the Marine Corps and, after confirmation by the Sen-
ate for service in that position, he received his fourth star 
upon assuming those duties on March 12, 1971; 
Whereas upon his retirement on March 31, 1972, after more 
than 33 years of active commissioned service, he ended 
his military career as Assistant Commandant of the Ma-
rine Corps, the second highest ranking Marine;
•HRES 361 IH 
Whereas General Davis’ decorations include the Medal of 
Honor, the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal 
with Gold Star in lieu of a second award, the Silver Star 
Medal with Gold Star in lieu of a second award, the Le-
gion of Merit with Combat ‘‘V’’ and Gold Star in lieu of 
a second award, the Bronze Star Medal with Combat 
‘‘V’’, the Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation 
with four bronze stars indicative of second through fifth 
awards, the Navy Unit Commendation, numerous cam-
paign and service medals, and numerous foreign decora-
tions; 
Whereas following retirement from his beloved Corps, General 
Davis directed the Georgia Chamber of Commerce for 
several years and later took on the challenge of design, 
funding, and dedication of the Korean War Veterans Me-
morial in Washington, DC; 
Whereas General Davis continued to work in support of 
issues concerning the national interest, including a visit 
to North Korea in an effort to persuade that government 
to allow more travel and to become more active in identi-
fying missing American soldiers; and 
Whereas General Raymond G. Davis is survived by his wife 
of 61 years, Knox Heafner Davis, two sons Raymond Gil 
Davis Jr. of Covington, Georgia, and Gordon Miles Davis 
of Seminole, Alabama, a daughter Willa Kerr of Stock-
bridge, Georgia, seven grandchildren, and two great-
grandchildren: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) has learned with profound sorrow of the 
death of General Raymond G. Davis (United States
•HRES 361 IH 
Marine Corps, retired) on September 3, 2003, and 
extends its condolences to his family; and 
(2) recognizes and expresses its appreciation 
and admiration for the unwavering commitment 
demonstrated by General Davis to his family, the 
Marine Corps, and the Nation. 
SEC. 2. The Clerk of the House of Representatives 
shall transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the 
family of General Raymond G. Davis.
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