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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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Photo # NH 79905:  Quarter Gunner John Davis protecting gun powder from fire on board USS Valley City, February 1862

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Quarter Gunner John Davis, USN, (18??-????)

John Davis was born in Cedarville, New Jersey. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from that state and served on board USS Valley City during the Civil War. While attacking Condererate batteries and ships at Elizabeth City, North Carolina on 10 February 1862, the ship encountered intense enemy fire. When a shell entered the ship and started a fire near the ammunition magazine, Davis protected an open gun powder cask with his body to prevent an explosion, at the same time continuing to pass powder to his division on the upper deck. For this courageous act, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

This page features the only image we have concerning John Davis.


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Photo #: NH 79905

Quarter Gunner John Davis


Halftone reproduction of an artwork, published in "Deeds of Valor," Volume II, page 14, by the Perrien-Keydel Company, Detroit, 1907. This image shows John Davis preventing a powder explosion aboard USS Valley City by covering an open powder cask with his body to protect it from nearby flames, during the attack on Confederates at Elizabeth City, North Carolina on 10 February 1862. Davis received the Medal of Honor for this courageous act.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 72KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Quarter Gunner John Davis (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 21):

"Served on board the U.S.S. Valley City during action against rebel fort batteries and ships off Elizabeth City, N.C., on 10 February 1862. When a shell from the shore penetrated the side and passed through the magazine, exploding outside the screen on the birth deck, several powder division protection bulkheads were torn to pieces and the forward part of the berth deck set on fire. Showing great presence of mind, DAVIS courageously covered a barrel of powder with his own body and prevented an explosion, while at the same time passing powder to provide the division on the upper deck while under fierce enemy fire."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 27 April 2006