[4] At age 24, Davidson was one of the youngest officers in Marine Corps history to be assigned command of a Combat Infantry Battalion.

Davidson was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree (cum laude) from Amherst (1940) with majors in biology, chemistry and political science.

He graduated from Officer Candidates Class, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant on February 20, 1941.

[7][10][11][12] In April 1944, Davidson attended Transport Quartermaster School in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, where he received training in commercial and combat ship loading and dock management.

Davidson performed several staff and command roles in 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines, and served with this unit throughout combat operations against Roi-Namur in the Battle of Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands (January 31 – February 3, 1944).

As the battalion commander, Davidson was responsible for training, supply, discipline and welfare of a unit of approximately 1,000 men in garrison.

On February 19, 1945, Davidson commanded one of seven battalion landing teams in the initial assault at the Battle of Iwo Jima.

In charge of troop deployment during the first days on Saipan when furious Jap resistance was met, the 25-year-old major went 84 hours without sleep, eating only cans [sic] of C rations, spooned out to him while he telephoned.

Nerve center of a specialized landing team, he kept its scattered parts united into one hard-hitting, ever-advancing fighting force.

It is regretted that this officer does not desire to transfer to the regular Marine Corps since he is considered preeminently qualified by experience, mentality and temperament for a career in the military service.

I consider him to be one of the outstanding officers in the Marine Corps and believe him to be capable at present, of performing the duties of any rank up to and including Lieutenant Colonel.

[43] Robert Davidson died suddenly on October 10, 1982, of a coronary occlusion in Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, Connecticut.