William was a graduate of Science Hill High School, Class of 1934. While there he was a member of the Key, Latin, Beginning and Advanced Dramatic Clubs.
William was a Captain with the 45th Infantry Regiment (Philippine Scouts), Philippine Division, United States Army. He’s listed as being Killed in Action and Missing in Action in the Bataan Peninsula, Luzon Island, Philippine Islands. William was awarded the following medals during his service: Silver Star, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. His remains have never been recovered.
William’s the son of George Fayne Davis and Cora Lee Tinker.
Captain William Bruce Davis was assigned to the 45th Infantry Regiment Phillippine Scouts. When war broke out on 7th of December 1941, the 45th fought against the Japanese invaders withdrawing to the Bataan Pennisula, where it finally surrendered on 9 April 1942.
Captain Davis was killed in action on 6 April 1942. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery, Philippines.
The Johnson City Press, 21 May 1942
Mr. and Mrs. George F. Davis, 1714 West Locust street, were notified today by the War Department that their son, Captain William B. Davis, has been reported “missing in action”, since the capitulation of American defenses in the Philippines. The parents found somber hope that Captain Davis is yet alive from the department’s indication that he may be a prisoner of the Japanese. The message stated, however, that many casualties during the last days of the Americans’ heroic stand on Bataan, Corregidor and elsewhere have not been reported.
Mr and Mrs. Davis, were informed in mid-February that their son, then an infantry first lieutenant, had been wounded in action February 31. It was their last word of him until today’s notification. Therefore, they concluded, he had recovered, and returned to active fighting, with promotion to captain. The War Department said the Japanese government has stated its intention of conforming to terms of the Geneva convention for interchange of information regarding prisoners, and added, “at some future date this government will receive through Geneva a list of persons who have been taken as prisoners of war… Until then all persons serving in the Philippines and unaccounted for will be considered missing in action.”
Captain Davis attended Teachers College Training school, graduated from Science Hill high school and attended the University of Tennessee.
- Rank: Captain
- Date of death: 6 April 1942
- County: Washington
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 45th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Scouts
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Silver Star, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIX, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor William B. Davis
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