February 10 George Davis Medal of Honor

Honor and remember one of America’s greatest fighter pilots, George Andrew Davis, who was an ace in both World War II and Korea. Davis earned the Medal of Honor posthumously after he attacked twelve Chinese MiG-15’s before they were able to pounce on unaware American planes. 

81230 A.C. Davis, George Andrew Jr. (first line of text unreadable) … the posthumous award of the Medal of Honor to Lieutenanct Colonel George A. Davis, Jr., a top jet ace killed during combat operations against the enemy in Korea. Colonel Davis is the third Air Force member to receive the Medal of Honor during the Korean Conflict. Colonel Davis, of Lubbock, Texas, was shot down February 10,1952, while flying his 60th Korean combat mission when he and his wingman unhesitatingly attacked a formation of 12 MIG-15’s in order to protect friendly fighter-bombers who were conducting low-level operations against enemy lines. After destroying two of the MIG’s, Colonel Davis deliberately sacrificed the superior speed which whould have permitted him to evade the concentrated fire of the enemy formations, and, slowing his plane by used of dive brakes, pressed the attack against a third MIG. During this attack, his F-86 was hit and crashed out of control into a mountain. Colonel Davis is credited with destroying 14 enemy planes in Korea, 11 of which were MIG’s. He also shot down seven enemy planes huring his 266 WWII combat missions in the Pacific. Born in Dublin, Texas, on December 1, 1920, Colonel Davis graduated from high school in Morton, Texas, and attended Harding College in Searcy, Arkansas. He was commissioned a second lieutenant with pilots rating in February 1943. Colonel Davis’ widow, Doloris Lynn, and two children, George and Mary Margaret, reside at 3713-32nd Street, Lubbock, Texas. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. George A. Davis, Sr., reside at Hale Center, Texas. Washington D.C., 27 April 1954..

In World War II, Davis flew over New Guinea and the Philippines, flying the P-47 Thunderbolt. He had seven victories in the War, six of them during the liberation of the Philippines. He earned the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and nine Air Medals over 266 combat missions.

Davis stayed in the Army after the War and then joined the newly formed Air Force in 1947. He trained in the F-86 Sabre and then went to Korea in February 1951. He commanded the 334th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron and was respected for the time and effort he took to train new pilots in combat tactics. His men called him “One Burst Davis” because he was such a disciplined and accurate gunner.

Davis earned the Distinguished Service Cross on November 30, 1951, when he came to the aid of damaged plane flown by Raymond Barton. Davis pounced on two Migs attacking Barton, whose plane was badly hit, killing the Chinese flight leader and forcing the rest of the pack to break off their attack. He then escorted Barton back to base, despite being low on fuel and ammunition himself. 

By February 1952, Davis has twelve victories and had flown thirty combat missions. He had averaged one kill for every third mission. On February 10, 1952, Davis was killed when engaging a Mig squadron that was attacking a flight of F-86 bombers. His Medal of Honor was controversial in that Davis’ wife had been an outspoken opponent of the Korean War, who had vocally criticized the Air Force’s combat rotation policy. Regardless, please honor and remember George Davis.