Jimmy Davis
Encyclopedia
Flight Lieutenant James William Elias "Jimmy" Davies DFC
(1913–1940) was the first American-born airman to die in World War II combat, having been shot down and killed on 27 June 1940.
Although born in the United States his family had moved to Wales before the start of the war so he appears in the official records as British.
Davies joined the Royal Air Force
in 1936 and by 1939 was flying the Hawker Hurricane
monoplane fighter with 79 Squadron
at RAF Biggin Hill. The squadron was soon in action and by the end of June 1940 Davies had already claimed six German aircraft shot down and two shared claims. On the 27 June 1940 he was due to be presented with the Distinguished Flying Cross from the King when he was sent as an escort to protect six aircraft on a reconnaissance mission to the French port of St Valery. He did not return for his medal as the three Hurricanes were attacked by three Bf109s over the English Channel; one of the Hurricanes escaped and one pilot bailed out into the sea but Davies was killed.
His name is inscribed on the Air Forces Memorial
at Runnymede for airmen with no known grave.
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
(1913–1940) was the first American-born airman to die in World War II combat, having been shot down and killed on 27 June 1940.
Although born in the United States his family had moved to Wales before the start of the war so he appears in the official records as British.
Davies joined the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
in 1936 and by 1939 was flying the Hawker Hurricane
Hawker Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
monoplane fighter with 79 Squadron
No. 79 Squadron RAF
-World War I:It was first formed at Gosport on 1 August 1917 as a squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. It was equipped with Sopwith Dolphin fighter aircraft in December that year, moving to France in February 1918. It specialised in low-level ground-attack operations, mainly in support of the...
at RAF Biggin Hill. The squadron was soon in action and by the end of June 1940 Davies had already claimed six German aircraft shot down and two shared claims. On the 27 June 1940 he was due to be presented with the Distinguished Flying Cross from the King when he was sent as an escort to protect six aircraft on a reconnaissance mission to the French port of St Valery. He did not return for his medal as the three Hurricanes were attacked by three Bf109s over the English Channel; one of the Hurricanes escaped and one pilot bailed out into the sea but Davies was killed.
His name is inscribed on the Air Forces Memorial
Air forces memorial
The Air Forces Memorial, or Runnymede Memorial, near Egham, Surrey, England is a memorial dedicated to some 20,456 men and women from the British Empire who were lost in operations from World War II. All of those recorded have no known grave anywhere in the world, and many were lost without trace...
at Runnymede for airmen with no known grave.
Honours and awards
- 20 February 1940 - Flying Officer J.W.E Davies was Mentioned in Dispatches for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.
- 28 June 1940 - Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
is awarded to Flight Lieutenant James William Elias Davies (37796) This officer has shown ability as a leader of his squadron on many offensive patrols. On one occasion while attacking a Messerschmitt 109, he was himself attacked by six Heinkel 113's. He at once turned on the Heinkels destroying one and badly damaging a second before being compelled to break off the engagement owing to shortage of ammunition. The following day he sighted and attacked a large formation of Heinkel 111's and shot one down in flames.