Roy M. Davenport
Encyclopedia
Rear Admiral
Roy Milton Davenport (June 18, 1909 – December 24, 1987) was an officer in the United States Navy
and is the first individual and only sailor to receive five Navy Cross
es, the U.S. Navy’s highest decoration after the Medal of Honor
. Lieutenant General Chesty Puller
, US Marines
, was the second to be awarded five; there have been no others. Davenport was decorated for heroism in submarine
service during World War II as a submarine commander fighting the Japanese
in the Pacific.
and USS Trepang
, that he received five Navy Crosses, two Silver Star
s, a Commendation Ribbon
with Bronze Star
, two Presidential Unit Citations and the Navy Unit Commendation
Ribbon. Besides nine additional awards, he was awarded the Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia
with stars for ten successful war patrols. These are documented in his autobiography
, Clean Sweep.
A student of Christian Science
, Davenport was dubbed the "praying skipper" and was known for his daring attacks against Japanese ships, often executed on the surface to gain additional speed. In all, he was credited during the Pacific War
with sinking 17 Japanese ships and damaging 10; this was reduced to 8 by JANAC
postwar evaluations. While none of the men under his command were lost, he and his crews experienced many close calls and escapes. He credited his religious faith for his successes.
as an ensign. In 1935, he married Jane Andre Gorham, who would be his wife 52 years, and together they had two daughters, Delia (Davenport) Gruenig and Bonnie (Davenport) Byhre. His first naval assignment was on the battleship
Texas
. The next year, he attended Submarine School
in New London, Connecticut. Upon graduation he was temporarily assigned to the training ship R-2
until the Cachalot
arrived on the East Coast to be re-engined. After some time in Panama, he arrived in Pearl Harbor
in June, 1939.
In 1941, Davenport was serving in Silversides
, as Executive Officer under Lt. Cdr. Creed Burlingame. He made four patrols aboard before Burlingame recommended him for a command of his own.
There were some close escapes beyond the expected and usual depth charging after attacking ships. Once a Japanese airplane dropped 3 bombs directly on the Silversides. The sub somehow survived and, while trying to escape, went into a hard dive with bow planes jammed, going deeper than the submarine was designed to survive. At the last moment Exec Davenport removed a cotter key to enable the sub to level off and not be crushed. At another time one of the torpedoes was stuck half out of the firing chamber and needed to be refired. It left successfully but could have sunk the sub. Another time Davenport had to wrestle a pistol from a drunken gunner’s mate who felt that he had been robbed in a dice game. The sailor was taken off the sub in a straitjacket.
Davenport was given Haddock
, replacing Art Taylor, relieved at the orders of Admiral Robert English
for circulating "subversive literature" (a poem critical of timid skippers). Haddock had already had three successful patrols, and Davenport's first patrol in command saw him patrol off the Palau Islands and sink two confirmed ships, Toyo Maru and Arima Maru, for 9,200 tons. His wartime credit was one for 11,900. He was unable to close nearer than 12,000 yd (10,000 m) to the Japanese aircraft carrier
s Hiyō
and Junyō
. After 39 days at sea, Haddock went in for extensive refit to repair a defective, potentially lethal, conning tower. At a depth of 415 feet, it had almost imploded and to get the hatch shut to save the boat from sinking, Davenport hit the hatch with a sledgehammer. The conning tower held and Haddock escaped.
On Davenport's second patrol, he returned to the Palaus, where he sank 5,533-ton Saipan Maru, and on July 26, 1943 fired a total of fifteen Mark XIV
torpedoes at ranges between 4,000 and 2,000 yd (3650 and 1825 m) in four attacks, believing he scored one hit. He was credited with one ship sunk for 10,900 tons and damage to for 35,000 tons, and he was awarded his first Navy Cross; this score was later reduced to one ship sunk at 5,500 tons.
In August 1943, Davenport was dispatched to Truk, making a 27-day patrol that would earn him a second Navy Cross. He fired four torpedoes on one ship on September 15, claiming two hits and fire aboard the target, which nevertheless tried to ram, leading Davenport to fire two more "down the throat". On September 20, he encountered a large tanker
, the 19,000 ton Tonan Maru II, and fired six torpedoes from 3,700 yd (3,400 m), claiming "at least three certain hits". On the night of 21/September 22, he attacked another ship, missing with two torpedoes from 3,000 yd ( m), and on the 23rd, firing a total of eight, his last, at another, claiming three hits. For his third patrol, he was credited with three ships sunk, a total of 39,200 tons. Departing Pearl Harbor in October, he returned to Truk for another 27-day patrol, and on 1/November 2, attacked a freighter and troopship on the surface with four torpedoes at the freighter at 3,100 yd (2800 m) and one at the troopship from 4,150 yd (3795 m). The freighter was claimed to have sunk immediately, the troopship to catch fire and settle. The next night, encountering three Japanese destroyer
s, Davenport fired four torpedoes at one of them from 2,000 yd (1825 m), claiming a hit midships and a sinking. And finally, on 5/November 6, Haddock found two tankers, firing three bow torpedoes at each from 3,000 yd (2700 m) and all four stern tubes at the escort. The stern shots all missed, but Davenport reported hits in both tankers. After reloading, he fired two more torpedoes at each, claiming both tankers sunk. The second Truk patrol earned Davenport credit for five ships and 32,600 tons, including the escort, plus damage to one for 4,000 tons. None were confirmed by postwar JANAC while Davenport, backed by his executive officers, believe the Japanese attempted to deceive the Allies into thinking the tankers remained in service.
Afterward, "at his own request", Davenport was detached for a rest and new construction, and "Beetle" Roach was given Haddock. Davenport would return to duty with the new Balao-class
Trepang
. On September 30, 1944 off Honshu
, Davenport fired six torpedoes on two large tankers, a large freighter, and an escort, claiming a hit in one tanker; JANAC confirmed only sinking of a 750 ton freighter, Taknuan Maru.
Davenport weathered a typhoon and, on 10/October 11, picked up a convoy of two tankers and one escort. Firing four stern tubes, he claimed three hits. No sinkings were confirmed in Japanese records. The next night, he fired four torpedoes at a Japanese landing craft, believing all missed. Postwar, he was credited with the 1,000 ton Transport No. 5. On 12/October 13, lying 12 mi off Iro Zaki, Davenport made radar
contact with two ships, believing them at first to be aircraft carriers, then battleships, escorted by destroyers. He fired all six bow tubes at one "battleship". He claimed hits in one destroyer, suggesting it sank immediately, and at least one hit in the first "battleship". He then swung and fired all four stern tubes, his last remaining torpedoes, at the other "battleship", which all missed. Back in Majuro
, he was credited with three ships of 22,300 tons and damage to a Yamashiro
-class battleship for 29,300 tons, earning him a fourth Navy Cross.
On his next patrol to Luzon Strait, Davenport led a "wolfpack" called "Roy's Rangers" consisting of Trepang, James Fulp's Segundo
, and Charles Brown's Razorback
He fired twenty-two torpedoes in all, claiming four ships for 35,000 tons; this was reduced postwar to three for 13,000.
After this, his tenth war patrol, Davenport requested shore duty, and became a maritime engineering instructor at Annapolis
. Except for those who earned the Medal of Honor
, such as Dick O'Kane, he was the Submarine Force's most decorated member.
with host Ralph Edwards
recounted his wartime events with close family appearing with him. Davenport’s cousin, Maxwell Taylor
, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
under President John F. Kennedy
, did not appear, as only immediate family and those who interacted in Davenport’s wartime adventures were invited.
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
Roy Milton Davenport (June 18, 1909 – December 24, 1987) was an officer in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and is the first individual and only sailor to receive five Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
es, the U.S. Navy’s highest decoration after the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
. Lieutenant General Chesty Puller
Chesty Puller
Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller was an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Puller is the most decorated U.S...
, US Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, was the second to be awarded five; there have been no others. Davenport was decorated for heroism in submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
service during World War II as a submarine commander fighting the Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
in the Pacific.
Service
Davenport made 10 submarine war patrols, six as commanding officer. It was during these six patrols, in command of Gato-class submarines USS HaddockUSS Haddock (SS-231)
, a Gato-class submarine, was the second submarine of the United States Navy to be named for the haddock, a small edible Atlantic fish, related to the cod...
and USS Trepang
USS Trepang (SS-412)
The first USS Trepang was a Balao-class submarine in the United States Navy. She was named for the trepang, a marine animal sometimes called a 'sea slug' or a 'sea cucumber', having a long, tough, muscular body and found in the coral reefs of the East Indies.When the contract to build her was...
, that he received five Navy Crosses, two Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
s, a Commendation Ribbon
Commendation Medal
The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may...
with Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, two Presidential Unit Citations and the Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Unit Commendation
The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...
Ribbon. Besides nine additional awards, he was awarded the Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia
Submarine Combat Patrol insignia
The Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia is a uniform breast pin worn by officers and men of the United States Navy's Submarine Service who have completed war patrols. Such patrols were conducted during World War II....
with stars for ten successful war patrols. These are documented in his autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
, Clean Sweep.
A student of Christian Science
Church of Christ, Scientist
The Church of Christ, Scientist was founded in 1879 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, by Mary Baker Eddy. She was the author of the book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Christian Science teaches that the "allness" of God denies the reality of sin, sickness, death, and the material world...
, Davenport was dubbed the "praying skipper" and was known for his daring attacks against Japanese ships, often executed on the surface to gain additional speed. In all, he was credited during the Pacific War
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
with sinking 17 Japanese ships and damaging 10; this was reduced to 8 by JANAC
Joint Army-Navy Assessment Committee
Joint Army-Navy Assessment Committee was a United States inter-service agency set up to analyze and assess Japanese naval and merchant marine shipping losses caused by U.S. and Allied forces during World War II.-Background:...
postwar evaluations. While none of the men under his command were lost, he and his crews experienced many close calls and escapes. He credited his religious faith for his successes.
History
Davenport was born in Kansas City, Kansas, and grew up in the Midwest. In June 1933 he graduated from the U.S. Naval AcademyUnited States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
as an ensign. In 1935, he married Jane Andre Gorham, who would be his wife 52 years, and together they had two daughters, Delia (Davenport) Gruenig and Bonnie (Davenport) Byhre. His first naval assignment was on the battleship
Battleship
A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of heavy caliber guns. Battleships were larger, better armed and armored than cruisers and destroyers. As the largest armed ships in a fleet, battleships were used to attain command of the sea and represented the apex of a...
Texas
USS Texas (BB-35)
USS Texas , the second ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the U.S. state of Texas, is a . The ship was launched on 18 May 1912 and commissioned on 12 March 1914....
. The next year, he attended Submarine School
Naval Submarine Base New London
Naval Submarine Base New London is the United States Navy's primary submarine base, the "Home of the Submarine Force", and "the Submarine Capital of the World".-History:...
in New London, Connecticut. Upon graduation he was temporarily assigned to the training ship R-2
USS R-2 (SS-79)
USS R-2 was an R-class coastal and harbor defense submarine of the United States Navy. Her keel was laid down on 16 October 1917 by the Fore River Shipbuilding Company in Quincy, Massachusetts. She was launched on 23 September 1918 sponsored by Mrs. Charles M...
until the Cachalot
USS Cachalot (SS-170)
USS Cachalot , the lead ship of her class and one of the "V-boats", was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for the sperm whale. Her keel was laid down by the Portsmouth Navy Yard. She was launched on 19 October 1933 as V-8 sponsored by Miss K. D...
arrived on the East Coast to be re-engined. After some time in Panama, he arrived in Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
in June, 1939.
In 1941, Davenport was serving in Silversides
USS Silversides (SS-236)
USS Silversides is a Gato-class submarine, the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the silversides, a small fish marked with a silvery stripe along each side of its body....
, as Executive Officer under Lt. Cdr. Creed Burlingame. He made four patrols aboard before Burlingame recommended him for a command of his own.
There were some close escapes beyond the expected and usual depth charging after attacking ships. Once a Japanese airplane dropped 3 bombs directly on the Silversides. The sub somehow survived and, while trying to escape, went into a hard dive with bow planes jammed, going deeper than the submarine was designed to survive. At the last moment Exec Davenport removed a cotter key to enable the sub to level off and not be crushed. At another time one of the torpedoes was stuck half out of the firing chamber and needed to be refired. It left successfully but could have sunk the sub. Another time Davenport had to wrestle a pistol from a drunken gunner’s mate who felt that he had been robbed in a dice game. The sailor was taken off the sub in a straitjacket.
Davenport was given Haddock
USS Haddock
USS Haddock has been the name of more than one United States Navy ship, and may refer to:*USS Haddock, renamed while under construction, a submarine in commission from 1914 to 1923, a submarine in commission from 1942 to 1947, a submarine in commission from 1967 to 1993...
, replacing Art Taylor, relieved at the orders of Admiral Robert English
Robert Henry English
Robert Henry English was a United States Navy Commissioned officer who commanded the U.S. Navy's submarine force in the Pacific Ocean early in World War II....
for circulating "subversive literature" (a poem critical of timid skippers). Haddock had already had three successful patrols, and Davenport's first patrol in command saw him patrol off the Palau Islands and sink two confirmed ships, Toyo Maru and Arima Maru, for 9,200 tons. His wartime credit was one for 11,900. He was unable to close nearer than 12,000 yd (10,000 m) to the Japanese aircraft carrier
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
s Hiyō
Japanese aircraft carrier Hiyo
Hiyō was a of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Begun as an ocean liner in 1939, she was purchased by the Navy Ministry in 1941 for conversion to an aircraft carrier...
and Junyō
Japanese aircraft carrier Junyo
was a of the Imperial Japanese Navy. She was laid down at Nagasaki as the passenger liner Kashiwara Maru, but was purchased by the Japanese Navy in 1941 and converted to an aircraft carrier. Completed in May 1942, the ship participated in the invasion of the Aleutian Islands the following month...
. After 39 days at sea, Haddock went in for extensive refit to repair a defective, potentially lethal, conning tower. At a depth of 415 feet, it had almost imploded and to get the hatch shut to save the boat from sinking, Davenport hit the hatch with a sledgehammer. The conning tower held and Haddock escaped.
On Davenport's second patrol, he returned to the Palaus, where he sank 5,533-ton Saipan Maru, and on July 26, 1943 fired a total of fifteen Mark XIV
Mark 14 torpedo
The Mark 14 torpedo was the United States Navy's standard submarine-launched anti-ship torpedo of World War II.This weapon was plagued with many problems which crippled its performance early in the war, and was supplemented by the Mark 18 electric torpedo in the last 2 years of the war...
torpedoes at ranges between 4,000 and 2,000 yd (3650 and 1825 m) in four attacks, believing he scored one hit. He was credited with one ship sunk for 10,900 tons and damage to for 35,000 tons, and he was awarded his first Navy Cross; this score was later reduced to one ship sunk at 5,500 tons.
Tank ship
A tanker is a ship designed to transport liquids in bulk. Major types of tankship include the oil tanker, the chemical tanker, and the liquefied natural gas carrier.-Background:...
, the 19,000 ton Tonan Maru II, and fired six torpedoes from 3,700 yd (3,400 m), claiming "at least three certain hits". On the night of 21/September 22, he attacked another ship, missing with two torpedoes from 3,000 yd ( m), and on the 23rd, firing a total of eight, his last, at another, claiming three hits. For his third patrol, he was credited with three ships sunk, a total of 39,200 tons. Departing Pearl Harbor in October, he returned to Truk for another 27-day patrol, and on 1/November 2, attacked a freighter and troopship on the surface with four torpedoes at the freighter at 3,100 yd (2800 m) and one at the troopship from 4,150 yd (3795 m). The freighter was claimed to have sunk immediately, the troopship to catch fire and settle. The next night, encountering three Japanese destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
s, Davenport fired four torpedoes at one of them from 2,000 yd (1825 m), claiming a hit midships and a sinking. And finally, on 5/November 6, Haddock found two tankers, firing three bow torpedoes at each from 3,000 yd (2700 m) and all four stern tubes at the escort. The stern shots all missed, but Davenport reported hits in both tankers. After reloading, he fired two more torpedoes at each, claiming both tankers sunk. The second Truk patrol earned Davenport credit for five ships and 32,600 tons, including the escort, plus damage to one for 4,000 tons. None were confirmed by postwar JANAC while Davenport, backed by his executive officers, believe the Japanese attempted to deceive the Allies into thinking the tankers remained in service.
Balao class submarine
The Balao class was a successful design of United States Navy submarine used during World War II, and with 122 units built, the largest class of submarines in the United States Navy. An improvement on the earlier Gato class, the boats had slight internal differences...
Trepang
USS Trepang (SS-412)
The first USS Trepang was a Balao-class submarine in the United States Navy. She was named for the trepang, a marine animal sometimes called a 'sea slug' or a 'sea cucumber', having a long, tough, muscular body and found in the coral reefs of the East Indies.When the contract to build her was...
. On September 30, 1944 off Honshu
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
, Davenport fired six torpedoes on two large tankers, a large freighter, and an escort, claiming a hit in one tanker; JANAC confirmed only sinking of a 750 ton freighter, Taknuan Maru.
Davenport weathered a typhoon and, on 10/October 11, picked up a convoy of two tankers and one escort. Firing four stern tubes, he claimed three hits. No sinkings were confirmed in Japanese records. The next night, he fired four torpedoes at a Japanese landing craft, believing all missed. Postwar, he was credited with the 1,000 ton Transport No. 5. On 12/October 13, lying 12 mi off Iro Zaki, Davenport made radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
contact with two ships, believing them at first to be aircraft carriers, then battleships, escorted by destroyers. He fired all six bow tubes at one "battleship". He claimed hits in one destroyer, suggesting it sank immediately, and at least one hit in the first "battleship". He then swung and fired all four stern tubes, his last remaining torpedoes, at the other "battleship", which all missed. Back in Majuro
Majuro
Majuro , is a large coral atoll of 64 islands in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district of the Ratak Chain of the Marshall Islands. The atoll itself has a land area of and encloses a lagoon of...
, he was credited with three ships of 22,300 tons and damage to a Yamashiro
Japanese battleship Yamashiro
Yamashiro was the Imperial Japanese Navy's second Fusō-class battleship, and was laid down at the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal on November 20, 1913, launched on November 3, 1915, and commissioned on March 31, 1917. She was the first Japanese vessel equipped with aircraft catapults...
-class battleship for 29,300 tons, earning him a fourth Navy Cross.
On his next patrol to Luzon Strait, Davenport led a "wolfpack" called "Roy's Rangers" consisting of Trepang, James Fulp's Segundo
USS Segundo (SS-398)
USS Segundo , a Balao-class submarine, was a ship of the United States Navy named for the segundo, a cavalla fish of Caribbean waters....
, and Charles Brown's Razorback
USS Razorback (SS-394)
USS Razorback , a Balao-class submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for the razorback, a species of whale found in the far southern reaches of the Pacific Ocean. It is arguably the longest-serving submarine still existing in the world, having been commissioned by two...
He fired twenty-two torpedoes in all, claiming four ships for 35,000 tons; this was reduced postwar to three for 13,000.
After this, his tenth war patrol, Davenport requested shore duty, and became a maritime engineering instructor at Annapolis
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
. Except for those who earned the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
, such as Dick O'Kane, he was the Submarine Force's most decorated member.
Television appearance
In 1954, the popular television program This Is Your LifeThis Is Your Life
This Is Your Life is an American television documentary series broadcast on NBC, originally hosted by its producer, Ralph Edwards from 1952 to 1961. In the show, the host surprises a guest, and proceeds to take them through their life in front of an audience including friends and family.Edwards...
with host Ralph Edwards
Ralph Edwards
Ralph Livingstone Edwards was an American radio and television host and television producer.-Early career:Born in Merino, Colorado , Edwards worked for KROW-AM in Oakland, California while he was still in high school...
recounted his wartime events with close family appearing with him. Davenport’s cousin, Maxwell Taylor
Maxwell D. Taylor
General Maxwell Davenport "Max" Taylor was an United States Army four star general and diplomat of the mid-20th century, who served as the fifth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff after having been appointed by the President of the United States John F...
, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters...
under President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
, did not appear, as only immediate family and those who interacted in Davenport’s wartime adventures were invited.
U.S. military decorations
| Navy Cross Navy Cross The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all... with four gold award stars |
|
| Silver Star Silver Star The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy.... with 2 gold award stars |
|
| Bronze Star Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the... with Valor device |
|
| Presidential Unit Citation Presidential Unit Citation (US) The Presidential Unit Citation, originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and allies for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941... with 2 bronze stars |
|
 |
American Defense Service Medal American Defense Service Medal The American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military, recognizing service before America’s entry into the Second World War but during the initial years of the European conflict.-Criteria:... with Base Clasp American Defense Service Medal The American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military, recognizing service before America’s entry into the Second World War but during the initial years of the European conflict.-Criteria:... |
 |
American Campaign Medal American Campaign Medal The American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt... |
 |
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was... |
 |
National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... |
| Korean War Service Medal Korean War Service Medal The Korean War Service Medal is a decoration of South Korea which was first authorized in December 1950... |
Navy Cross citation (1st Award)
Citation:- For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of a United States Submarine during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific Area. Throughout numerous hazardous war patrols in enemy-infested waters, Lieutenant Commander Davenport pressed home his attacks with cool and courageous determination and despite intense and persistent hostile opposition, succeeded in sinking over 10,500 tons of enemy shipping and damaging over 35,500 tons. His aggressive fighting spirit, inspiring leadership and the splendid efficiency of the men in his command contributed immeasurably to the success of our operations in this vital area and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Navy Cross citation (2nd Award)
Citation:- For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of a United States Submarine while that vessel was engaged in an aggressive and successful patrol against enemy Japanese in the Pacific War Area. Although operating in the presence of formidable concentrations of anti-submarine vessels, Lieutenant Commander Davenport pressed home a series of vigorous and persistent attacks which resulted in the sinking or damaging of an important amount of hostile shipping. Despite severe countermeasures on the part of the enemy, he brought his ship through many perilous encounters and his crew home without material damage or loss of life. His expert seamanship and cool courage in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Navy Cross citation (3rd Award)
Citation:- For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. HADDOCK during the Seventh War Patrol in enemy Japanese-controlled waters in the Pacific War Area. With superb tactical skill, Commander Davenport maneuvered his ship into striking position and in a daring surface torpedo attack against a hostile destroyer search group, sank one of the Japanese warships then, during the ensuing confusion, carried out a successful surface retirement. Contacting two heavily escorted enemy convoys, he and his gallant command delivered accurate and devastating attacks against the hostile vessels, sinking a large amount of Japanese shipping. Commander Davenport’s inspiring leadership and indomitable fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Navy Cross citation (4th Award)
Citation:- For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. TREPANG during the First War Patrol of that vessel in enemy waters. Effectively covering wide areas of the enemy’s shipping routes, Commander Davenport tracked Japanese surface forces with relentless determination, skillfully developing his contacts into highly aggressive torpedo attacks. Boldly launching his fire against hostile escorted convoys, he directed his command in the destruction of several important enemy vessels and continued his vigorous tactics by a night surface attack against a Japanese task force to sink or damage severely combatant ships of heavy fire power and vital to the enemy’s sustained prosecution of the war. His valiant ship-handling in evading severe enemy countermeasures despite the TREPANG’s inferior speed and highly phosphorescent seas and the gallant fighting spirit of the entire ship’s company reflect the highest credit upon Commander Davenport and the United States Naval Service.
Navy Cross citation (5th Award)
Citation:- For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. TREPANG during the Second War Patrol of that vessel in enemy Japanese-controlled waters. Daringly penetrating a strong hostile escort screen to deliver a series of night surface attacks, Commander Davenport launched his torpedoes into an escorted convoy, holding to his targets grimly in the face of heavy countermeasures and sinking an important amount of Japanese tonnage. During this excellently planned and brilliantly executed engagement, the TREPANG effectively coordinated her efforts with other submarines and, as a result of the combined firepower of these gallant ships, contributed to the destruction of the entire convoy within a period of three hours. A courageous and expert seaman, forceful and inspiring in his leadership, Commander Davenport, as Group Commander, was largely responsible for the outstanding success of this vital and hazardous mission. His gallant conduct and the exceptional combat readiness of his command reflect the highest credit upon Commander Davenport and the United States Naval Service.
External links
- Home of Heroes
- American Military Decorations & Awards Research Institute
- USS Haddock, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Details WWII actions of the USS Haddock, commanded by LCDR Davenport.