Charles W . Davis Charles Willis Davis ( February 21 , 1917 – January 18 , 1991 ) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military ' s highest decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in World War II . Biography . Davis joined the Army from Montgomery , Alabama , and by January 12 , 1943 was serving as a captain in the 27th Infantry Regiment , 25th Infantry Division . On that day , on the island of Guadalcanal during the Battle of Mount Austen , the Galloping Horse , and the Sea Horse , he volunteered to carry messages to several companies which were pinned down by Japan ese fire . He stayed with the companies overnight . A knoll on the south edge of the ridge ( the " horse ' s neck " ) leading to Hill 53 was the fulcrum of the Japanese defenses . The knoll contained several machine - gun and mortar positions which had effectively held off the American attacks across the ridge . As 2nd Battalion ' s executive officer Captain Davis volunteered to lead four other men against the knoll . Crawling on their bellies , Davis and his party crept to within 10 yd ( 9 . 1 m ) of the enemy position . The Japanese defenders threw two grenades at them , but the grenades failed to explode . Davis and his men threw eight grenades at the Japanese , destroying several of their positions . Davis then stood up , and while shooting his rifle , then pistol with one hand , waved his men forward with the other as he advanced further onto the knoll . Davis and his men then killed or chased away the rest of the Japanese on the knoll . Silhouetted against the sky during the action , Davis was visible to the Americans all up and down the ridge . Inspired by his actions , plus replenished with water by a sudden thunderstorm , the American troops " came to life " and quickly assaulted and captured Hill 53 by noon . The Americans counted the bodies of 170 Japanese soldiers on and around the Galloping Horse . The Americans suffered fewer than 100 killed . He was subsequently promoted to major and , on July 17 , 1943 , awarded the Medal of Honor . Davis reached the rank of colonel and served in the Korean and Vietnam War s before leaving the Army . He died at age 73 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery , Arlington County , Virginia . Medal of Honor citations . Davis ' official Medal of Honor citation reads : For distinguishing himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy on Guadalcanal Island . On January 12 , 1943 , Maj . Davis ( then Capt . ) , executive officer of an infantry battalion , volunteered to carry instructions to the leading companies of his battalion which had been caught in crossfire from Japanese machineguns . With complete disregard for his own safety , he made his way to the trapped units , delivered the instructions , supervised their execution , and remained overnight in this exposed position . On the following day , Maj . Davis again volunteered to lead an assault on the Japanese position which was holding up the advance . When his rifle jammed at its first shot , he drew his pistol and , waving his men on , led the assault over the top of the hill . Electrified by this action , another body of soldiers followed and seized the hill . The capture of this position broke Japanese resistance and the battalion was then able to proceed and secure the corps objective . The courage and leadership displayed by Maj . Davis inspired the entire battalion and unquestionably led to the success of its attack . Depictions in media . James Jones wrote " The Thin Red Line " based on his experiences in Guadalcanal during the Battle of Mount Austen , the Galloping Horse , and the Sea Horse as a member of the 27th Infantry Regiment . Here Davis takes the form of Capt . John Gaff .