Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Milton Smith Davis, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SHAW, engaged in the important, exacting and hazardous duty of patrolling the waters infested with enemy submarines and mines, in escorting and protecting vitally important convoys of troops and supplies through these waters and in offensive and defensive action, vigorously and unremittingly prosecuted against all forms of enemy naval activity during World War I.

Awards Received

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commodore

    Action Date:

    October 1, 1939 – March 1945
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 340 (July 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Commodore Milton Smith Davis, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Port Director, San Francisco, from 1 October 1939 to March 1943 and as Regional Shipping Director from 13 December 1943 to March 1945. By his expert appraisal of shipping conditions and his efficient reorganization and expansion of the office of the port director, Commodore Davis made possible the effective handling of a tremendously increased load of shipping activities attendant upon the opening of hostilities in the Pacific area. Skillfully obtaining the support and cooperation of the many civilian agencies and organizations necessary for the smooth functioning of cargo movement and water-borne shipping, he was able to surmount the many and varied problems of this vital phase of our successful prosecution of the war against Japan.