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{{Short description|United States Navy admiral (1893–1965)}}
{{more citations needed|date=January 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|name= Arthur C. Davis
|name= Arthur C. Davis
|birth_date= {{birth date|df=yes|1893|3|14}}
|birth_date= {{birth date|df=yes|1893|3|14}}
|death_date= {{death date and age|df=yes|1965|2|10|1893|3|14}}
|death_date= {{death date and age|df=yes|1965|2|10|1893|3|14}}
|birth_place= [[Columbia, South Carolina]]
|birth_place= [[Columbia, South Carolina]], U.S.
|death_place=
|death_place=
|placeofburial=[[Arlington National Cemetery]], [[Arlington, Virginia]]
|placeofburial=[[Arlington National Cemetery]], [[Arlington, Virginia]]
|image= RADM Arthur C. Davis.jpg
|image= Vice Adm. Arthur C. Davis, USN (cropped).jpg
|caption=
|caption=
|nickname="Art"
|nickname="Art"
|allegiance={{flag|United States}}
|allegiance=[[United States of America]]
|branch = [[File:United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg|25px]] [[United States Navy]]
|branch = [[File:United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg|25px]] [[United States Navy]]
|serviceyears=1915–1955
|serviceyears=1915–1955
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|laterwork=
|laterwork=
}}
}}
⚫
'''Arthur Cayley Davis''' (14 March 1893 – 10 February 1965) was an [[Admiral (United States)|admiral]] of the [[United States Navy]]. His career included service in [[World War II]] and the [[Cold War]]. He was a pioneer of [[dive bombing]].

⚫
'''Arthur Cayley Davis''' (14 March 1893 – 10 February 1965)<ref name="anc">[http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/acdavis.htm Arlington National Cemetery Website: Arthur Caley (sic) Davis Admiral United States Navy]</ref> was an [[Admiral (United States)|admiral]] of the [[United States Navy]]. His career included service in [[World War II]] and the [[Cold War]]. He was a pioneer of [[dive bombing]].


==Naval career==
==Naval career==


Davis was born on 14 March 1893 in [[Columbia, South Carolina]]. He attended the [[University of Nebraska]] from 1909 to 1911, before his appointment to the [[United States Naval Academy]] in 1911. He was [[Commissioned officer|commissioned]] an [[Ensign (rank)|ensign]] upon graduation in 1915.<ref name="anc"/>
Davis was born on 14 March 1893 in [[Columbia, South Carolina]]. He attended the [[University of Nebraska]] from 1909 to 1911, before his appointment to the [[United States Naval Academy]] in 1911. He was [[Commissioned officer|commissioned]] an [[Ensign (rank)|ensign]] upon graduation in 1915.


After various early assignments, Davis reported to [[Naval Air Station Pensacola]] in [[Pensacola, Florida]], for [[flight training]]. He was designated a [[naval aviator]] in 1923. Duties at the U.S. Navy{{'}}s [[Bureau of Aeronautics]] and [[Bureau of Ordnance]] soon followed. While there, Davis became a pioneer of dive bombing; he developed dive bombing techniques and in 1925, he designed a bombsight for use in dive bombing.<ref name="anc"/>
After various early assignments, Davis reported to [[Naval Air Station Pensacola]] in [[Pensacola, Florida]], for [[flight training]]. He was designated a [[naval aviator]] in 1923. Duties at the U.S. Navy{{'}}s [[Bureau of Aeronautics]] and [[Bureau of Ordnance]] soon followed. While there, Davis became a pioneer of dive bombing; he developed dive bombing techniques and in 1925, he designed a bombsight for use in dive bombing.


By 1934, Davis, a [[Lieutenant Commander (United States)|lieutenant commander]], became commander of the [[Carrier Air Wing|air group]] aboard the [[aircraft carrier]] {{USS|Ranger|CV-4|6}}. He was head of the Plans Division of the Bureau of Aeronautics from 1936 to 1939, then served as the commanding officer of the [[seaplane tender]] {{USS|Langley|AV-3|6}} from 1939 to 1940. Under his command, USS ''Langley'' operated in the [[United States Atlantic Fleet]] from February to July 1939. It was then deployed to [[Manila]] in the [[Philippines]] for service in the [[United States Asiatic Fleet]].<ref name="anc"/>
By 1934, Davis, a [[Lieutenant Commander (United States)|lieutenant commander]], became commander of the [[carrier air wing|air group]] aboard the [[aircraft carrier]] {{USS|Ranger|CV-4|6}}. He was head of the Plans Division of the Bureau of Aeronautics from 1936 to 1939, then served as the commanding officer of the [[seaplane tender]] {{USS|Langley|AV-3|6}} from 1939 to 1940. Under his command, USS ''Langley'' operated in the [[United States Atlantic Fleet]] from February to July 1939. It was then deployed to [[Manila]] in the [[Philippines]] for service in the [[United States Asiatic Fleet]].


===World War II===
===World War II===


In mid-1940, by-then-[[Captain (United States)#U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|Captain]] Davis became the aviation officer on the staff of the [[CINCPAC|Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet]], the position he held when the [[Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor|Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor]], Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. This incident brought the [[United States]] into [[World War II]]. He continued in this position until 30 June 1942. For his next tour, he was named as the commanding officer of the aircraft carrier {{USS|Yorktown|CV-5|6}}. However, the ship was sunk on 7 June 1942 in the late stages of the [[Battle of Midway]] before he could report aboard. As a result, he instead took command of the aircraft carrier {{USS|Enterprise|CV-6|6}} on 30 June 1942.<ref name="anc"/>
In mid-1940, by-then-[[Captain (United States)#U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|Captain]] Davis became the aviation officer on the staff of the [[CINCPAC|Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet]], the position he held when the [[Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor|Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor]], Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. This incident brought the [[United States]] into [[World War II]]. He continued in this position until 30 June 1942. For his next tour, he was named as the commanding officer of the aircraft carrier {{USS|Yorktown|CV-5|6}}. However, the ship was sunk on 7 June 1942 in the late stages of the [[Battle of Midway]] before he could report aboard. As a result, he instead took command of the aircraft carrier {{USS|Enterprise|CV-6|6}} on 30 June 1942.


Davis led ''Enterprise'' into combat in the [[Guadalcanal campaign]], supported [[United States Marine Corps]] amphibious landings on [[Guadalcanal]] in the [[Solomon Islands]] and fought in the [[Battle of the Eastern Solomons]] on 24 August 1942. During the battle, USS ''Enterprise'' suffered more damage than any other American ship involved, when Japanese dive bombers scored three hits and four near misses on her, killing 77 and wounding 91 of her crew and seriously damaging her. After his promotion to [[Rear Admiral (United States)|rear admiral]], Davis received the [[Navy Cross (United States)|Navy Cross]] for his actions aboard USS ''Enterprise'' on 24 August, the citation for the award read, "By his remarkable seamanship, resourcefulness and his outstanding skill in maneuvering his ship, [[Rear Admiral (United States)|Rear Admiral]] Davis met the vigorous Japanese dive-bombing attack coolly and courageously, holding the damage by bomb hits to the ''Enterprise'' to a minimum and, in turn, inflicting heavy casualties on the attacking enemy planes."<ref name="anc"/>
Davis led ''Enterprise'' into combat in the [[Guadalcanal campaign]], supported [[United States Marine Corps]] amphibious landings on [[Guadalcanal]] in the [[Solomon Islands]] and fought in the [[Battle of the Eastern Solomons]] on 24 August 1942. During the battle, USS ''Enterprise'' suffered more damage than any other American ship involved, when Japanese dive bombers scored three hits and four near misses on her, killing 77 and wounding 91 of her crew and seriously damaging her. After his promotion to [[Rear Admiral (United States)|rear admiral]], Davis received the [[Navy Cross (United States)|Navy Cross]] for his actions aboard USS ''Enterprise'' on 24 August, the citation for the award read, "By his remarkable seamanship, resourcefulness and his outstanding skill in maneuvering his ship, [[Rear Admiral (United States)|Rear Admiral]] Davis met the vigorous Japanese dive-bombing attack coolly and courageously, holding the damage by bomb hits to the ''Enterprise'' to a minimum and, in turn, inflicting heavy casualties on the attacking enemy planes."


After relinquishing command of USS ''Enterprise'' on 21 October 1942 and receiving his promotion to rear admiral, Davis served in the Atlantic Fleet, first as Commander, Carrier Replacement Squadron, Atlantic Fleet in 1942, then as Commander, Fleet Air, Atlantic Fleet, from 1942 to 1943, and finally as Assistant Chief of Staff, Atlantic Fleet, from 1943 to 1944.<ref name="anc"/>
After relinquishing command of USS ''Enterprise'' on 21 October 1942 and receiving his promotion to rear admiral, Davis served in the Atlantic Fleet, first as Commander, Carrier Replacement Squadron, Atlantic Fleet in 1942, then as Commander, Fleet Air, Atlantic Fleet, from 1942 to 1943, and finally as Assistant Chief of Staff, Atlantic Fleet, from 1943 to 1944.


In September 1944, Admiral [[Raymond A. Spruance]], the Commander of [[United States Fifth Fleet]], reluctantly{{cn|date=December 2019}} chose Davis as his chief of staff after Admiral [[Ernest King]], the [[Chief of Naval Operations]], ordered that all commanders with a [[surface warfare]] background have a chief of staff with aviation experience and vice versa. Davis won over Spruance with his competence and congeniality and was described as a "lean, rough, aggressive leader" who "moved decisively and intelligently." Davis was with the Fifth Fleet until July 1945, and during his tour the fleet operated in the Pacific Ocean against Japanese forces in the [[Battle of Iwo Jima|Iwo Jima]] and [[Battle of Okinawa|Okinawa]] campaigns. He then became the commander of [[Carrier Division Five (United States)|Carrier Division Five]].<ref name="anc"/>
In September 1944, Admiral [[Raymond A. Spruance]], the Commander of [[United States Fifth Fleet]], chose Davis as his chief of staff after Admiral [[Ernest King]], the [[Chief of Naval Operations]], ordered that all commanders with a [[surface warfare]] background have a chief of staff with aviation experience and vice versa.<ref>Buell, Thomas B., The Quiet Warrior, pp273-75 (Naval Institute Press, 1987)</ref> Davis won over Spruance with his competence and congeniality and was described as a "lean, rough, aggressive leader" who "moved decisively and intelligently." Davis was with the Fifth Fleet until July 1945, and during his tour the fleet operated in the Pacific Ocean against Japanese forces in the [[Battle of Iwo Jima|Iwo Jima]] and [[Battle of Okinawa|Okinawa]] campaigns. He then became the commander of [[Carrier Division Five (United States)|Carrier Division Five]].


===Later career===
===Later career===
After leaving Carrier Division Five, Davis was the Deputy U.S. Military Representative to the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) Military Staff Committee. He then was [[Director of the Joint Staff]] for the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]] from 20 September 1949 to 1 November 1951, before being promoted to [[Vice Admiral (United States)|vice admiral]] in 1951. He served as Deputy United States Representative to the Standing Group, North Atlantic Treaty Organization until 16 August 1953. On 1 November 1953, Davis became Deputy [[Assistant Secretary of Defense]] for International Security Affairs and the U.S. Navy{{'}}s Director of Foreign Military Affairs, positions he held until his retirement from active duty in April 1955. He was promoted to the four-star rank of [[Admiral (United States)|admiral]] upon retirement.<ref name="anc"/>
After leaving Carrier Division Five, Davis was the Deputy U.S. Military Representative to the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) Military Staff Committee. He then was [[Director of the Joint Staff]] for the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]] from 20 September 1949 to 1 November 1951, before being promoted to [[Vice Admiral (United States)|vice admiral]] in 1951. He served as Deputy United States Representative to the Standing Group, North Atlantic Treaty Organization until 16 August 1953. On 1 November 1953, Davis became Deputy [[Assistant Secretary of Defense]] for International Security Affairs and the U.S. Navy{{'}}s Director of Foreign Military Affairs, positions he held until his retirement from active duty in April 1955. He was promoted to the four-star rank of [[Admiral (United States)|admiral]] upon retirement.


==Decorations and awards==
==Decorations and awards==
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==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Davis was married to Eunice M. Davis (1908–1974).<ref name="anc"/>
Davis was married to Eunice M. Davis (1908–1974).


==Death==
Davis died on 10 February 1965. He was buried with his wife at [[Arlington National Cemetery]] in [[Arlington, Virginia]].<ref name="anc"/>
Davis died on 10 February 1965. He was buried with his wife at [[Arlington National Cemetery]], in [[Arlington County, Virginia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CgVkYXZpcxIGYXJ0aHVyGgFj/ |title=Burial Detail: Davis, Arthur C. (Section 11, Grave 854-B-LH) |work= ANC Explorer|publisher=Arlington National Cemetery |id=(Official website)}}</ref>


==Legacy==
==Legacy==
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{{Portal|Biography}}
{{Portal|Biography}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
<!-- * {{FAG}} no info on Wikidata-->
* {{cite web|url=http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/acdavis.htm |title=Arthur Caley [sic] Davis |date=7 November 2022 |publisher=at ArlingtonCemetery.net|id=(Unofficial website)}}<!--non-RS [[WP:SPS]] website, do not use for citations -->


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:1893 births]]
[[Category:1893 births]]
[[Category:1965 deaths]]
[[Category:1965 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Columbia, South Carolina]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Columbia, South Carolina]]
[[Category:University of Nebraska alumni]]
[[Category:University of Nebraska alumni]]
[[Category:United States Naval Academy alumni]]
[[Category:United States Naval Academy alumni]]

Latest revision as of 00:40, 5 March 2024

Arthur C. Davis
Nickname(s)"Art"
Born(1893-03-14)14 March 1893
Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Died10 February 1965(1965-02-10) (aged 71)
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1915–1955
Rank Admiral
Commands held
Battles/wars
Awards

Arthur Cayley Davis (14 March 1893 – 10 February 1965) was an admiral of the United States Navy. His career included service in World War II and the Cold War. He was a pioneer of dive bombing.

Naval career[edit]

Davis was born on 14 March 1893 in Columbia, South Carolina. He attended the University of Nebraska from 1909 to 1911, before his appointment to the United States Naval Academy in 1911. He was commissioned an ensign upon graduation in 1915.

After various early assignments, Davis reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola in Pensacola, Florida, for flight training. He was designated a naval aviator in 1923. Duties at the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics and Bureau of Ordnance soon followed. While there, Davis became a pioneer of dive bombing; he developed dive bombing techniques and in 1925, he designed a bombsight for use in dive bombing.

By 1934, Davis, a lieutenant commander, became commander of the air group aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger. He was head of the Plans Division of the Bureau of Aeronautics from 1936 to 1939, then served as the commanding officer of the seaplane tender USS Langley from 1939 to 1940. Under his command, USS Langley operated in the United States Atlantic Fleet from February to July 1939. It was then deployed to Manila in the Philippines for service in the United States Asiatic Fleet.

World War II[edit]

In mid-1940, by-then-Captain Davis became the aviation officer on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet, the position he held when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 7 December 1941. This incident brought the United States into World War II. He continued in this position until 30 June 1942. For his next tour, he was named as the commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. However, the ship was sunk on 7 June 1942 in the late stages of the Battle of Midway before he could report aboard. As a result, he instead took command of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise on 30 June 1942.

Davis led Enterprise into combat in the Guadalcanal campaign, supported United States Marine Corps amphibious landings on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands and fought in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons on 24 August 1942. During the battle, USS Enterprise suffered more damage than any other American ship involved, when Japanese dive bombers scored three hits and four near misses on her, killing 77 and wounding 91 of her crew and seriously damaging her. After his promotion to rear admiral, Davis received the Navy Cross for his actions aboard USS Enterprise on 24 August, the citation for the award read, "By his remarkable seamanship, resourcefulness and his outstanding skill in maneuvering his ship, Rear Admiral Davis met the vigorous Japanese dive-bombing attack coolly and courageously, holding the damage by bomb hits to the Enterprise to a minimum and, in turn, inflicting heavy casualties on the attacking enemy planes."

After relinquishing command of USS Enterprise on 21 October 1942 and receiving his promotion to rear admiral, Davis served in the Atlantic Fleet, first as Commander, Carrier Replacement Squadron, Atlantic Fleet in 1942, then as Commander, Fleet Air, Atlantic Fleet, from 1942 to 1943, and finally as Assistant Chief of Staff, Atlantic Fleet, from 1943 to 1944.

In September 1944, Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, the Commander of United States Fifth Fleet, chose Davis as his chief of staff after Admiral Ernest King, the Chief of Naval Operations, ordered that all commanders with a surface warfare background have a chief of staff with aviation experience and vice versa.[1] Davis won over Spruance with his competence and congeniality and was described as a "lean, rough, aggressive leader" who "moved decisively and intelligently." Davis was with the Fifth Fleet until July 1945, and during his tour the fleet operated in the Pacific Ocean against Japanese forces in the Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns. He then became the commander of Carrier Division Five.

Later career[edit]

After leaving Carrier Division Five, Davis was the Deputy U.S. Military Representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Military Staff Committee. He then was Director of the Joint Staff for the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 20 September 1949 to 1 November 1951, before being promoted to vice admiral in 1951. He served as Deputy United States Representative to the Standing Group, North Atlantic Treaty Organization until 16 August 1953. On 1 November 1953, Davis became Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs and the U.S. Navy's Director of Foreign Military Affairs, positions he held until his retirement from active duty in April 1955. He was promoted to the four-star rank of admiral upon retirement.

Decorations and awards[edit]

Davis received an award of the Navy Cross, two awards of the Distinguished Service Medal, and three awards of the Legion of Merit. In addition, USS Enterprise was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for the period 7 December 1941 to 15 November 1942, which included Davis's time in command.

Personal life[edit]

Davis was married to Eunice M. Davis (1908–1974).

Death[edit]

Davis died on 10 February 1965. He was buried with his wife at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington County, Virginia.[2]

Legacy[edit]

The U.S. Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names renamed the Warpasgiljo Glacier in Antarctica the Arthur Davis Glacier in honor of Davis.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Buell, Thomas B., The Quiet Warrior, pp273-75 (Naval Institute Press, 1987)
  2. ^ "Burial Detail: Davis, Arthur C. (Section 11, Grave 854-B-LH)". ANC Explorer. Arlington National Cemetery. (Official website).

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Arthur_C._Davis&oldid=1211884022"