Harry J. Davis

Corporal, U.S. Army

Company D, 60th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division

Entered the Service from: New Jersey
Died: October 14, 1918
Buried at: Plot A Row 6 Grave 29, Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, France
Awards: Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart

Corporal Harry J. Davis was born Edward J. Marz in the summer of 1897 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Edward and Hannah Marz. When he enlisted in the United States Army in August of 1917 it was under an assumed name, Harry J. Davis.

The 1910 Census shows Edward Marz, his parents, and young siblings William, Walter, Paul, and Lena living on Pierce Street in Philadelphia. His father worked as a stationary engineer at a bakery. Two more children, Viola and Raymond, came after 1910.

Army records indicate that Edward Marz had lived in Camden prior to enlisting in the Army. As Harry J. Davis he was assigned to Company D, 60th Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to Corporal in February of 1918, and went overseas with his unit in April of that year.

Corporal Davis was killed in action on October 14, 1918 at Cunel, France, where his actions caused him to be posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. His citation reads: “While the advance of his platoon was being held up by deadly enfilading fire of the enemy, Corporal Davis voluntarily rushed over open ground, through direct machine-gun fire, for a distance of over 100 meters, and, with the aid of his bayonet attacked the nest. He killed both of the gunners, thereby silencing the fire but during the combat he himself was severely wounded.”

Corporal Davis was survived by his parents, brothers, and sisters, who were still living on Pierce Street in Philadelphia when the census was taken in January of 1920.

DAVIS, HARRY J.
Corporal, U.S. Army
Company D, 60th Infantry Regiment, 5th Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: October 14, 1918

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Harry J. Davis, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action at Cunel, France, October 14, 1918. While the advance of his platoon was being held up by deadly enfilading fire of the enemy, Corporal Davis voluntarily rushed over open ground, through direct machine-gun fire, for a distance of over 100 meters, and, with the aid of his bayonet attacked the nest. He killed both of the gunners, thereby silencing the fire but during the combat he himself was severely wounded. It was due to his prompt and fearless action that further advance of his platoon was made possible.

General Orders No. 44, W.D., 1919
Home Town: Camden, NJ