Bravo 1/5
2nd Platoon
1967
Sgt. Rodney Maxwell Davis
Medal of Honor Citation
Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps
Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division
Place and Date: Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, 6 September 1967
Entered Service at: Macon Georgia
Born : 7 April 1942, Macon Georgia
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the right guide of the 2nd Platoon, Company B, in action against enemy forces. Elements of the 2nd Platoon were pinned down by a numerically superior force of attacking North Vietnamese Army Regulars. Remnants of the platoon were located in a trench line where Sgt. Davis was directing the fire of his men in an attempt to repel the enemy attack. Disregarding the enemy hand grenades and high volume of small arms and mortar fire, Sgt. Davis moved from man to man shouting words of encouragement to each of them while firing and throwing grenades at the onrushing enemy. When an enemy grenade landed in the trench in the midst of his men, Sgt. Davis, realizing the gravity of the situation, and in a final valiant act of complete self-sacrifice, instantly threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing with his body the full and terrific force of the explosion. Through his extraordinary initiative and inspiring valor in the face of almost certain death, Sgt. Davis saved his comrades from injury and possible loss of life, enabled his platoon to hold its vital position, and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Sgt. Davis gave his life to protect his Brother Marines on 6 September 1967 at the age of 25.