The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Ralph Eugene Davison, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States while serving as commander of a task group assigned to duty with a carrier task force of the Pacific Fleet from 1 September 1944 to 26 November 1944. Admiral Davison successfully carried out all missions assigned to his group. These included the support of landings on Peleliu and Angaur in the Palau group, air strikes against the Bonins, Mindanao, the Visayans and Luzon in the Philippine Islands, and also against Loochow Islands and Formosa in support of our landings on Leyte. In the face of determined enemy opposition, he consistently distinguished himself by great professional skill, high courage and inspiring leadership.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Ralph Eugene Davison, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as commander of a task group operating against Japanese forces in the forward areas of the Pacific from 10 February to 21 March 1945. Admiral Davison was courageous and daring, gallantly leading his command in vigorous support of the landing operation at Iwo Jima. He participated in the first carrier attacks on the Japanese homeland, deploying the units of his task group for maximum combat efficiency and inflicting heavy damage on hostile airfields and installations. When his flagship, the U.S.S. FRANKLINH, suffered damage under aerial attack on 18 – 19 March, Rear Admiral Davison carried on with consistent determination and aggressiveness, maintaining operations despite numerous casualties in his staff. Although forced to transfer to another ship, he rendered distinctive and valiant service throughout the desperate struggle to save the FRANKLIN.