Sergeant Rodney M. Davis Memorial Monument

Sergeant Rodney M. Davis Memorial Monument

Memorials/Tributes

 701 Poplar St., Macon, GA, 31201

Rodney Maxwell Davis (April 7, 1942 – September 6, 1967) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Vietnam War.

Davis was born on April 7, 1942, in Macon, Georgia to Gordon N. Davis and Ruth A. Davis. He attended elementary school and high school there and graduated from Peter G. Appling High School, May 29, 1961.

Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in his hometown, August 31, 1961

Ordered to the Republic of Vietnam in August 1967, he was assigned duty as a Platoon Guide with Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division. On September 6, 1967, he was operating with his unit in the Quang Nam Province on a search and clear mission during Operation Swift, when they were attacked by a large North Vietnamese force. Elements of the platoon were pinned down in a trench line by mortars, heavy automatic and small arms fire. He went from man to man encouraging them on and also returning fire at the same time. An enemy hand grenade fell in the trenches his men were fighting from and without hesitation he threw himself upon the grenade. He saved his fellow Marines in this selfless act and thus earned the nation’s highest military decoration: the Medal of Honor.

Presentation of the Medal was made posthumously to his widow, Mrs. Judy P. Davis, by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew in his office. The Presentation is “in the name of the Congress of the United States.”

Location Info

701 Poplar St.

701 Poplar St., Macon, GA, 31201