Charles P. Davis

He charged across a burning bridge under intense enemy fire.

Charles P. Davis served as a corporal in Company G, 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry, during the Philippine-American War. He received the Medal of Honor for an action near San Isidro, Luzon, on May 16, 1899, as one of the volunteer scouts who helped the U.S. advance across a bridge under fire and dislodge a fortified opposing force.

Crossing the bridge near San Isidro

Davis was among a scouting party of 22 men that charged over a burning bridge while under heavy fire. The scouts crossed the exposed span and struck a force entrenched in a strong position. Their sudden assault routed a much larger body of defenders, clearing the way for the American troops behind them. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s recipient record identifies Davis with Company G of the 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry and credits the scouts with routing 600 enemy troops.

Born in Minnesota in 1872, Davis was accredited to Valley City, North Dakota. He received the Medal of Honor in 1906 and died in 1943. He was buried in Hillside Cemetery in Valley City.

Medal of Honor citation

“With 21 other scouts charged across a burning bridge, under heavy fire, and completely routed 600 of the enemy who were entrenched in a strongly fortified position.”