“Wars may cease, but the need for heroism shall not depart from this earth, while man remains man and evil exists to be redressed.” - Rear Admiral A. T. Mahan, 1897

Fighting in wars has ceased now for retired Marine Gen. Raymond G. Davis, but at age 85 his status as a true American hero, and the spirit that earned him that status, is still as vital as when he earned the Medal of Honor in Korea.

The general will be the guest of honor and featured speaker at Peachtree City's second annual Memorial Day celebration May 29 at City Hall Plaza.

Most people are not brave or heroic by nature. In the words of Niccolo Machiavelli writing in “The Art of War” in 1520, “Few men are brave by nature, but good order and experience may make many so.”

Davis is one of those rare individuals who appear to not only have a naturally heroic spirit, but who also gain the “good order and experience” to turn theory into history, according to ceremony organizers.

The Fitzgerald, Ga., native's record speaks for itself. He served with distinction in three wars: WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He earned the country's highest award for heroism, the Medal of Honor, in Korea. This alone places him in a select group of men who have proven their mettle.

But he rises above even that level to an Olympus of hero icons. In World War II, he earned the Navy Cross for heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty. In Vietnam he earned the Distinguished Service Medal and several personal decorations from the Vietnamese government. He also has earned the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medals, and the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in combat.

But beyond the cited valor and accomplishments, there is the man, the leader.

“Never a shouter, never profane, never a grandstander, Ray Davis expressed his thoughts with gentlemanly precision and razor-sharp logic,” said retired Marine Maj. Gen. Carl Hoffman, who served under Davis' command as an immediate subordinate in peace and in combat. “He never closed his mind on a topic, ever remaining willing to reopen the dialogue or reconsider a decision.” Hoffman's description of Davis' leadership style appeared in a 1995 biography about Davis, written by Bill Davis (no relation).

Hoffman goes on to say that Davis' leadership style was to “suggest” that his subordinates do this or that. “We all soon realized that his `suggestions' were not idle chit-chat,” recalled Hoffman. “He fully expected, unless his subordinates exercised their opportunity to discuss the matter, that action would result — quickly.”

Yet another facet to this many-faceted man is the devoted husband and father of two boys and a girl.

When speaking of his wife, Knox, in his biography, he speaks in only superlative terms, and says that she is the favorite subject of his life.

“She has the highest standards,” he says... “church, family, unity, social graces, work ethic — you name it. Knox is a varsity player in my life. Marriage to this remarkable woman is still ongoing after 50 years. She wrote every day (and got replies) to make me a part of the family during three wars plus unaccompanied tours which lasted ten years.”

Their oldest son, Gilbert, who was born during WWII, said, “Mom was tough. When things got tough, Mom got tougher!” He further explains that his mother was raised in the foothills of North Carolina by a family whose motto was: “Never let `em see you hurt.”

In one letter from Korea to his family in December 1950, he wrote, “Cold as everything last night — the bright sun is just now warming me up some. No mail recently — maybe we'll catch up with the mail man in a day or two. I am still awaiting those letters about the baby (daughter Willa Kay, who was born while he was in Korea)... I do adore you all — am so terribly lonely without you.”

When he retired as a four-star general in March 1972, Davis was the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, the second highest post in the Corps. Within four hours of his retirement ceremony March 31 in Washington D.C., he was at work in his new office in downtown Atlanta, beginning to learn his duties as the executive vice president of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

“From the second Distinguished Service Medal for service as assistant commandant of the Marine Corps to the unmedalled left breast of a new civilian suit, I was immediately at home in this new environment,” said the general in his biography.

Speaking of the effort to get his new job, he recalls that it wasn't all that easy. The chamber president then, H.G. “Pat” Pattillo, was not keen on the idea of hiring a retired general for the position.

“He told me that he was very much opposed to it, and at first refused any suggestions that he see me,” said the general. But he persisted and got an interview. Impressed, Pattillo later said it was obvious to him that this man was quality.

May 29, Davis will speak here about the meaning of Memorial Day. He will focus on the theme of this year's celebration, “Freedom is Never Free.”

Residents in and around Peachtree City are invited. For information, phone the Recreation Department at 770-631-2542.

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