DOB/DOD: July 19, 1922 (Danbury, CT) – June 6, 2000 (Bethel, CT); 77 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Barbara Patricia Fischer (1922-1997) on October 16, 1948, in Southeast, New York.
CHILDREN: Two daughters, Barbara P. Davis Stuart (1950-) and Deirdre D. Davis Braun (1955-). Two sons, Robert G. Jr. (1952-) and Justin S. (1953-).
LOCAL ADDRESS: 32 Holiday Drive, Norwalk
ENLISTMENT: December 21, 1942
MOS: 2260; Personnel Staff Officer
DISCHARGE: December 21, 1945
UNIT: First Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division
FAMILY: Born to George Harold Davis Sr. (1891-1971) and Xe Marie Sands Davis (1894-1960). Five brothers, George Harold Jr. (1916-1988), Roderick A. (1919-1997), Ronald S. [Navy/WWII veteran] (1921-1998), Hubert A. (1923-2009), and Jerrold H. [Army/Korean War veteran] (1927-2018). Two sisters, Barbara S. Davis Bennett (1918-1980) and Priscilla M. Davis (1932-1937).
OTHER: Worked as a lineman and eventually business office manager for Southern New England Telephone Company, retiring after 38 years. Robert Davis is a former president of the Norwalk United Way, and was a board member of the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Relations for Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now (NEON), the Norwalk/Westport Personnel Committee, the Norwalk Community Council, the American Red Cross of Norwalk, and the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs of Norwalk and Westport.
CIRCUMSTANCES: Wounded in action on January 19, 1945. Received wounds to the stomach area from artillery fragments.
DECORATIONS: Recipient of the Silver Star Medal (citation below), Bronze Star Medal (citation below), European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, European – African – Middle Eastern Service Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Silver Star Medal citation
Headquarters 34th Infantry Division, General Order Number 32, 8 February 1945: Under the provisions of Army Regulations 600-45, as amended, a Silver Star is awarded to the following named individual:
ROBERT G. DAVIS (01304872), First Lieutenant, Infantry, Headquarters First Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment. For gallantry in action on 23 May 1944, in Italy, when the Company Commander was wounded during an attack, Lt Davis assumed command,
rallied his men and led them in a 5000 yard advance over flat open terrain under incessant enemy fire. When the company reached a wooded area, Lt Davis, suspecting an ambush, advanced alone to reconnoiter their route. He did not turn back until he observed six hostile Mark IV tanks bearing toward the company. He returned to find 13 casualties among his company from heavy enemy artillery fire. He immediately made his way about the shelled area, deployed and concealed his men so skillfully that the hostile tanks sped by without observing them. Lt Davis then radioed for artillery fire on the tanks, although they were 500 yards behind him. His accurate fire directions resulted in 5 of the tanks being knocked out and the other withdrawing. Lt Davis then led an assault on the company’s objective, and although repulsed by vicious machine gun fire, he immediately attacked again. His aggressive actions resulted in the overrunning of the enemy position and the capture of 42 enemy soldiers, including one officer, an anti-tank gun, four mortars and a huge cave containing a large supply of ammunition. The gallant leadership displayed by Lt Davis was exemplary and a credit to the military service. Home address, Great Plain, RFD 5, Danbury, Connecticut.
Citation to accompany the Bronze Star Medal
Headquarters 34th Infantry Division, General Order 4, January 7, 1945: Under the provisions of Army Regulations 600-45, a Bronze Star Medal is awarded to the following named individual:
ROBERT G. DAVIS (01504872), First Lieutenant, Infantry, Headquarters First Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment. For heroic achievement in action on 17 October 1944 in Italy. While at the battalion OP located in a castle tower on high ground, Lt Davis observed an enemy SP artillery piece and began to direct fire upon it. The enemy gun observed Lt Davis’ position, for they immediately began firing upon him. During the next forty-five minutes of dueling, large chunks of the tower were shot away, making Lt Davis’ position extremely dangerous, but he remained at his post until the enemy weapon was driven off. The courage and devotion to duty displayed by Lt Davis is exemplary and a credit to himself and his organization. Home address: Route # 5, Danbury, Connecticut.
From the Norwalk Hour June 7, 2000
ROBERT G. DAVIS, SR.
Former President, Norwalk United Way
Robert G. Davis, Sr, 77, of Bethel, formerly of Norwalk, died Tuesday at the Bethel Health Care Center. He was the husband of the late Barbara Fischer Davis. He was born in Danbury on July 19, 1922, a son of the late G. Herald and Xe Marie Sands Davis. A graduate of Danbury High School, he was a Captain in the U.S. Army and was the recipient of various campaign medals, the Purple Heart Medal, Silver and Bronze Star Medals, and the European – African – Middle Eastern Service Medal. Upon his discharge, Mr. Davis was employed by Southern New England Telephone (SNET) Co. as a lineman. He retired from SNET as a business office manager. He had lived in Norwalk for 23 years before moving to Bethel 12 years ago. Mr. Davis was a board member and former president of the Norwalk United Way, and a board member of the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Relations for Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now (NEON), the Norwalk/Westport Personnel Committee, the Norwalk Community Council, the American Red Cross of Norwalk, and the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs of Norwalk and Westport.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Pavia Council #48, Bethel, and a third Degree Knight, a founding member and past commander of the Catholic War Veterans, Post 1042 of Danbury, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 149, Danbury, and a member of the Church of St. Mary, Bethel, where he served on its building fund drive. He also served on the building fund drive committees for St. Anne’s Church, Milford, St. Luke’s Church, Westport, and St. Jerome’s Church, Norwalk. Mr Davis is survived by two sons, Robert G. Davis Jr and Justin S. Davis, both of Bethel; two daughters, Deirdre D. Sottosanti of Bethel and Barbara D. Stuart of Hyde Park, N.Y; two brothers, Jerrold H. Davis of Deland, Florida, and Hubert A. Davis of Danbury; three grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Church of St. Mary, Bethel. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Bethel. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel. The family requests that contributions be made to St. Mary School, 24 Dodgingtown Road. Bethel, CT 06801.
Robert Davis is buried in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, 2 Turkey Plain Road, Bethel, Connecticut; Section 3, Block E, Grave # 63. Photos by Jeff DeWitt.
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