The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Cecil B. Davis (MCSN: 809304), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as a Squad Leader, serving with Company G, Second Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Islands, 8 May 1945. After volunteering to lead tanks forward against two enemy machine guns directing deadly enfilade fire against his company from a cave, Corporal Davis realized that due to the heavy terrain the tanks were unable to take suitable positions. Quick to act in the face of tremendous odds, he fearlessly went forward alone, advanced upon the positions under heavy hostile fire, destroyed the guns and killed their crews with grenades and rifle fire. Returning to his company and organizing a small group of volunteers, he attacked and destroyed a third machine gun before he fell, mortally wounded. By his outstanding courage and indomitable fighting spirit, corporal Davis succeeded in silencing the Japanese weapons, thereby enabling his company to continue the advance, and his dauntless leadership throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.