Rodney M . Davis Rodney Maxwell Davis ( April 7 , 1942 – September 6 , 1967 ) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Vietnam War . Biography . Davis was born on April 7 , 1942 , in Macon , Georgia to Gordon N . Davis and Ruth A . Davis . He attended elementary school and high school there and graduated from Peter G . Appling High School , May 29 , 1961 . Shortly after graduation , he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in his hometown , August 31 , 1961 ; then reported for recruit training with the First 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 Second Battalion , First Infantry Training Regiment , graduating the following February . He then joined Company K , 3rd Battalion , 2nd Marines , 2nd Marine Division , FMF , at Camp Lejeune and served as a rifleman until May 1964 . While stationed at Camp Lejeune , he was promoted to Private First Class , April 1 , 1962 , and to Lance Corporal , January 1 , 1964 . Lance Corporal Davis was ordered to London , England , for a three year tour of duty as Guard with the United States Marine Detachment , Naval Activities . He was promoted to Corporal , January 1 , 1966 , and to Sergeant , December 1 , 1966 . Ordered to the Republic of Vietnam in August 1967 , he was assigned duty as a Platoon Guide with Company B , First Battalion , Fifth Marines , First Marine Division . On September 6 , 1967 , he was operating with his unit in the Quang Nam Province on a search and clear mission during Operation Swift , when they were attacked by a large North Vietnam ese force . Elements of the platoon were pinned down in a trench line by mortar s , heavy automatic and small arms fire . He went from man to man encouraging them on and also returning fire at the same time . An enemy hand grenade fell in the trenches his men were fighting from and without hesitation he threw himself upon the grenade . He saved his fellow Marines in this selfless act and thus earned the nation ' s highest military decoration : the Medal of Honor . Sgt . Davis was survived by his wife , Judy P . Davis , two daughters Nichola Davis , and Samantha J . Davis - Steen , Esq . Awards and honors . His medals and decorations include : Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to SERGEANT RODNEY M . DAVIS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the right guide of the Second Platoon , Company B , First Battalion , Fifth Marines , First Marine Division , in action against enemy forces in Quang Nam Province , Republic of Vietnam , on September 6 , 1967 . Elements of the Second Platoon were pinned down by a numerically superior force of attacking North Vietnamese Army Regulars . Remnants of the platoon were located in a trench line where Sergeant Davis was directing the fire of his men in an attempt to repel the enemy attack . Disregarding the enemy hand grenade s and high volume of small arms and mortar fire , Sergeant Davis moved from man to man shouting words of encouragement to each of them firing and throwing grenades at the onrushing enemy . When an enemy grenade landed in the trench in the midst of his men , Sergeant Davis , realizing the gravity of the situation , and in a final valiant act of complete self - sacrifice , instantly threw himself upon the grenade , absorbing with his own body the full and terrific force of the explosion . Through his extraordinary initiative and inspiring valor in the face of almost certain death , Sergeant Davis saved his comrades from injury and possible loss of life , enabled his platoon to hold its vital position , and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service . He gallantly gave his life for his country . / S / RICHARD M . NIXON