The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Marcus T. Davis (ASN: 34134497), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 30 July 1944, in France. Staff Sergeant Davis was serving as a Squad Leader with an Infantry Regiment and was given the assignment of taking his squad on a reconnaissance patrol deep into enemy territory to gain information of German installations and troop dispositions. When he and his men had succeeded in gaining the desired information, they were discovered by the enemy and were completely pinned down by the German fire. With great coolness, Staff Sergeant Davis crawled to each member of his patrol and gave them instructions as to their withdrawal. Then, at great risk to himself, he deliberately exposed himself to the enemy fire to divert hostile attention from his comrades while they withdrew to safety. Staff Sergeant Davis thereupon returned to friendly lines to deliver valuable information to his commanding officer. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Staff Sergeant Davis, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.