After graduation, he resigned his commission in the U. S. Army Infantry Reserve to accept appointment as a Marine Corps second lieutenant on June 27, 1938.

He returned to shore duty in July 1940 for weapons and artillery instruction at Quantico, Virginia, and Aberdeen, Maryland.

Completing the training in February 1941, he was assigned to the 1st Antiaircraft Machine Gun Battery, 1st Marine Division at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

During World War II, Captain Davis participated in the Guadalcanal-Tulagi landings, the capture and defense of Guadalcanal, the Eastern New Guinea and Cape Gloucester campaigns, and the Peleliu operation.

Davis' heroism while commanding the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines at Peleliu in September 1944 earned him the Navy Cross and the Purple Heart Medal.

Returning to the United States in November 1944, he was assigned to Quantico as Tactical Inspector, Marine Corps Schools.

Upon his return from Guam in May 1949, he was named Inspector-Instructor of the 9th Marine Corps Reserve Infantry Battalion in Chicago, Illinois.

Later, as executive officer of the 7th Marines, from December 1950 to June 1951, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for his part in rebuilding the 7th Regiment in South Korea after the Chosin Reservoir campaign.

The following July, he attended the Special Weapons Employment Course, Fleet Training Center, Norfolk, Virginia, under instruction.

As part of this change in tactics, he would order Operation Dewey Canyon in early 1969 to engage the People's Army of Vietnam in the A Shau Valley.

On February 23, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon nominated Davis for appointment to the grade of general and assignment to the position of Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.

General Davis served as Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps until he retired from active duty on March 31, 1972.

[5] This commission investigated the details of the controversial 1967 USS Liberty incident and determined, among other things, that the state of Israel had deliberately attacked an American ship in international waters, killing 34 U.S. sailors in the process and perpetrating an act of war.

The so-called Moorer Commission submitted their findings to the United States government along with a request for a proper Congressional investigation of the attack.

Entered service at: Atlanta, Ga. Born: January 13, 1915, Fitzgerald, Ga. Citation: Citation: Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Gilbert Davis (MCSN: 0-5831), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy in Korea during the period 2 November to 8 November 1950.

During the daylight hours of 3 November Lieutenant Colonel Davis maneuvered elements of his command in such a manner as to route the enemy.

Once again Lieutenant Colonel Davis' display of leadership and courage acted as an inspiration to the officers and men of his command.

Assigned the task of seizing two hills located at the southern end of the Seoul-Uijongbu corridor, Lieutenant Colonel Davis boldly led his battalion against a well-entrenched enemy force in the face of hostile small-arms, automatic-weapons and mortar fire.

By his marked courage, brilliant leadership and steadfast devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Davis upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.