John Davis

Shielded a powder barrel as fire spread below decks

John Davis entered the United States Navy from New Jersey and served the Union during the American Civil War. His origins remain uncertain. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society records his birth in Finland in 1821, while the Naval History and Heritage Command identifies his birthplace as Cedarville, New Jersey.

By February 1862, Davis was serving as a quarter gunner aboard USS Valley City. On 10 February, the vessel engaged Confederate batteries and ships off Elizabeth City, North Carolina. An enemy shell penetrated the ship and started a fire near its ammunition supply. Davis covered an open powder barrel with his body to prevent it from igniting, while continuing to pass ammunition to the guns above. His presence of mind prevented an explosion while his ship remained under fire.

His Medal of Honor was announced in General Order No. 11 of 3 April 1863. He received the medal aboard USS Choctaw that year, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society records his highest rank as Acting Gunner. Davis did not survive to see the end of the Civil War. He died in New York City on 17 November 1863, only months after receiving his decoration.

The history of his burial presents another unresolved question. The Medal of Honor Historical Society records an original burial in Brooklyn’s naval cemetery, but cannot confirm that his remains were among those transferred to Cypress Hills National Cemetery in 1926. Although other references identify a grave there, the society cautions that it may belong to another John Davis. His medal has a clearer recorded location: the Congressional Medal of Honor Society lists it with Founding Forward in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Medal of Honor citation

“Served on board the U.S.S. Valley City during action against rebel fort batteries and ships off Elizabeth City, N.C., 10 February 1862. When a shell from the shore penetrated the side and passed through the magazine, exploding outside the screen on the berth deck, several powder divisions protecting bulkheads were torn to pieces and the forward part of the berth deck set on fire. Showing great presence of mind, Davis courageously covered a barrel of powder with his own body and prevented an explosion, while at the same time passing powder to provide the division on the upper deck while under fierce enemy fire.” Official citation, reproduced by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.