He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1910 and was commissioned as an Ensign in 1912, after two years at sea.

[1] Assigned to USS New Hampshire (BB-25), Davidson received a commendation for service while on the landing force during the Battle of Vera Cruz in 1914.

[1][2][3] During World War II, Davidson took command of Cruiser Division 8 using USS Philadelphia (CL-41) as his flagship.

He received one Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his leadership during the November 1942 invasion of North Africa, in Morocco.

[5] He received a second Navy Distinguished Service Medal for command of Task Force 86, aboard USS Augusta (CA-31), during the 1944 invasion of Southern France.