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★Victoria Cross

A comprehensive archive of decorated military heroes from Commonwealth, American, and allied traditions, ranked by the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25). Honouring valour through history.

USM-25.2Scoring Standard

Scored under the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25)

Joseph H. Davis (Medal of Honor) — Victoria Cross

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Service Profile

Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: Landsman
Medals Recorded: 1

Joseph H. Davis (Medal of Honor)

Landsman, U.S. Navy

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Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor 1862–1912 Navy

Ribbon Rack

Biography

He leapt from a ferryboat to rescue a drowning sailor below.

Joseph H. Davis was born on 22 July 1860 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He served as a landsman in the United States Navy on the receiving ship Dale.

On 22 January 1886 at Norfolk, Virginia, Davis jumped overboard from a ferryboat to rescue Ordinary Seaman John Norman from drowning. He received the Medal of Honor for this act of lifesaving service.

Davis died on 19 June 1903 in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, and is buried in Montrose Cemetery there. His citation preserves the name of the shipmate he saved and the circumstances of the rescue.

Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S. receiving ship Dale off the Wharf at Norfolk, Va., 22 January 1886. Jumping overboard from the ferryboat, Davis rescued from drowning John Norman, ordinary seaman.

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