Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Frank
Alfred
Davis
POW (WWII) KIA
May 10, 1896

–

December 14, 1944

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Manila

After the fall of the Philippines, Lieutenant Commander Davis was interned at the infamous prisoner-of-war camp at Cabanatuan. As a P.O.W. he built a powerful underground organization to obtain food, medicines and communications of all kinds. He volunteered for command of a firewood detail, and despite the constant surveillance of Japanese guards, succeeded in smuggling into camp tremendous amounts of food and other necessities to his fellow prisoners. His great personal valor and grave concern for others at a great risk to his own life contributed to the welfare and morale of all prisoners on Luzon and saved countless lives before he died December 14, 1944.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Pigeon (AM-47)

    Action Date:

    December 7, 1941 – January 7, 1942
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 316 (July 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander Frank Alfred Davis (NSN: 0-33836), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as an Officer, and later as Commanding Officer of the Minesweeper U.S.S. PIGEON (AM-47), in action at Cavite Naval Yard in the Philippine Islands, and subsequently in the defense of Manila Bay, during the period 7 December 1942 through 7 January 1942. Lieutenant Commander Davis participated in operations of strategic importance involving hazardous missions, while exposed to frequent horizontal and dive bombing attacks by Japanese air forces. Lieutenant Commander Davis’ inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of these vital missions and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

    Action Date:

    September 1942 – October 1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 351 (June 1946)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander Frank Alfred Davis (NSN: 0-33836), United States Navy, was awarded the Legion of Merit (Posthumously) for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War at Cabanatuan, Philippine Islands, during the period September 1942 to October 1944.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

    Action Date:

    May 6, 1942 – December 14, 1944
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 1947

    Lieutenant Commander Frank Alfred Davis (NSN: 0-33836), United States Naval Reserve, was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 6 May 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his death in captivity on or about 14 December 1944.