Newly acquired Navy Group

[cap_george]

Hello all I just traded for this nice little 6 medal (double 3 medal mounted) Navy Group. I am trying to research the recipient "William Lee Davis - 1931". The two dated bars (1935, 1939) are engraved with his name also. The Yangtze Service Medal is numbered M.No. 2367. I have a couple of Warrant Offices in 1942 list that could be him. Any help would be welcome, also opinions etc. Thanks George

[FrankEaton01]

There a few different sailors with that exact name in the WWII Navy muster rolls, but I think this one's your guy based on his re-enlistment dates of 1935 and 1939. With his service number, you can request a copy of his service record from the NPRC.

[Jack's Son]

George,

With the exception of the GCM, the balance of the medals look much newer. May we see the back of the ribbon bars, so we might get a better look at the condition of the medals?

[cap_george]

George,

With the exception of the GCM, the balance of the medals look much newer. May we see the back of the ribbon bars, so we might get a better look at the condition of the medals?

 

OK here are the backs of the two bars. Thanks George

[tom2001]

Very nice right as rain bar mounted group. The group was obviously mounted after WWII, so seeing a little fading on the older GCM ribbon doesn't bother me a bit. After all, that medal was 15 years old or so at the time the group was mounted. And the M.No. numbered Yangtze Service Medal is stellar!

 

Might be worth a short term subscription to ancestry.com to download all the muster rolls, and also getting copies of his service record from St. Louis.

[Jack's Son]

There you are George! Tom was kind enough to recognize the group, enjoy.

[Tom Nier]

If the William Lee Davis located above by "Frank Eaton" is the best candidate for your medal group, I noted this man's rank of CEM(AA) as of March 1941. My 1944 Regular Navy Register lists a Lieutenant William Lee Davis with temporary appointment on 1 July 1944, officer's service number 113111. His permanent rank was Warrant Electrician as of 2 July 1941, and was born 22 October 1909. Due to the wartime demand for experienced skilled officers, many senior enlisted men were rapidly commissioned on a temporary basis.

 

Good luck researching this group!!

[cap_george]

Thank you all for the help it is very much appreciated. It appears that LCDR William Lee Davis Jr. (1909-1996 - buried at Arlington) is one of the best matches. I have a question - where are the "Navy Muster Rolls" are they on Ancestry . com? Thanks again Captain (CA) Albert

[tom2001]

I have a question - where are the "Navy Muster Rolls" are they on Ancestry . com?

 

Yep, they cover the period from 1938-1949 on ancestry.com. Looks like there are about 3-4 William L. (or Lee) Davis's on the rolls, so be sure to check service numbers listed on the rolls.

[cap_george]

Thanks Tom Lane, I am still doing research. - I have a question for Tom Nier though - he lists the Lieutenant as born 22 Oct. 1909. I have one candidate born 22 Mar. 1909 (LCDR), and another born 22 Oct. 1908. I can't find a 22 Oct. 1909. I have already sent in a request the NPRC on the LCDR. George

[Tom Nier]

George: I re-checked my 1944 Regular Navy Register, and its Lt. Wm. Lee Davis' birth year is 1909. But I suspect your man with the 10-22-1908 birthday may actually be the same sailor. Perhaps there was a clerical error in one or the other source, which is more likely in the hustle of wartime.

[cap_george]

Thanks Tom, you might be correct. But to make it more confusing I found an SS Death Index record:

 

Name: William L. Davis

 

SSN: 556-54-2293

Last Residence: 85208 Mesa, Maricopa, Arizona, United States of America

Born: 22 Oct 1909

Died: 8 Dec 2001

State (Year) SSN issued:

 

I have not found a Military record for this man (yet). I think your man might be 1942 DAVIS, WILLIAM Lee Electrical Warrant Officer, but I still think this is William Lee Davis Jr. born 22 Mar. 1909. I have 3 Warrants in 1942 - William Lee Davis Electrical Warrant; William L. Davis Gunnery Warrant; and William Leonard Davis Electrical Warrant. I am having some problem believing that the date on your man is correct. Here is the info on the 22 Oct. 1908 man:

 

US Dept. veteran affairs BIRLS death file:

Name: William Davis

Gender: Male

Birth Date: 22 Oct 1908

Death Date: 16 Jan 1973

SSN: 442030975

Enlistment Date 1: 29 May 1924

Branch 2: NAVY

Enlistment Date 2: 18 Jun 1942

Release Date 2: 6 Sep 1945

Social Security death Index

Gender: Male

Birth Date: 22 Oct 1908

Death Date: 16 Jan 1973

SSN SSN: 442030975

County of Death Tulsa

State of Death Ok

SSI Issued: OK. Before 1951

Residence: 74129 Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma

 

Thanks George

[aerialbridge]

Hello all I just traded for this nice little 6 medal (double 3 medal mounted) Navy Group. I am trying to research the recipient "William Lee Davis - 1931". The two dated bars (1935, 1939) are engraved with his name also. The Yangtze Service Medal is numbered M.No. 2367. I have a couple of Warrant Offices in 1942 list that could be him. Any help would be welcome, also opinions etc. Thanks George

 

Nice group. And I thought I had a dilemma with 2 -1890's coal passers with the exact same name and 3 years difference for birthdate. You've got it narrowed down to 4. Short of just paying your $60 to order the one you think most likely from NARA, one way to elminate the also-rans would be if you can find out where each of them were during the Yangtze qualifying period. Good luck with your research and IDing your man.

[cap_george]

Nice group. And I thought I had a dilemma with 2 -1890's coal passers with the exact same name and 3 years difference for birthdate. You've got it narrowed down to 4. Short of just paying your $60 to order the one you think most likely from NARA, one way to elminate the also-rans would be if you can find out where each of them were during the Yangtze qualifying period. Good luck with your research and IDing your man.

 

Thanks that's a good idea. George

[cap_george]

Thanks that's a good idea. George

 

I did some more Checking - with the William Lee Davis (supplied by Jack's Son - which is the best match to the medal), I found that he #336-57-74 was on the USS Henley DD-391 at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack. Seems to leave after about Jan-March 1942, or was already a Warrant Officer (2 July 1941 - which does not show on the Musters through Dec. 1941). But Tom Nier may have the correct information.

 

The guy born on 22 Oct 1908 - enlisted 29 May 1924, SS# 442030975 -

Note: Was 15 years 7 months old in May 1924 (lied about age) – would not be 18 until 22 Oct 1926. Maybe that is why the Good Conduct was not awarded until 1931. Also if he fudged his birth date – that may have led to the error in the Officer’s date of birth (22 Oct. 1909 instead of 22 Oct. 1908 – there may also have been an age requirement). Note: cut off date for Officers now is 35 (without wavier) So 1908 + 35 = 1943, 1909 + 35 = 1944. Also the man retired on 6 Sep 1945 (therefor no Medals pass WW2). He would of had 21 years service by then. This seems to work since I can't find the enlistment date for the LCDR William Lee Davis Jr. who may have stayed in longer (more medals).

 

I will need to request information from the NPRC for #336-57-74 CEM William Lee Davis, enlisted c.1924, retired c.1945 and see what I get. Again you guys thanks for the help especially Jack's Son (who nailed it). George

[Jack's Son]

Thank you George.....I can use all the credit I can get!!! It was our buddie Frank Eaton however, who nailed-it.....not me! :thumbsup:

[cap_george]

Thank you George.....I can use all the credit I can get!!! It was our buddie Frank Eaton however, who nailed-it.....not me! :thumbsup:

 

Well thank you both - but you found the enlistment matches (that's big). George

[cap_george]

Well thank you both - but you found the enlistment matches (that's big). George

 

I need to apologize to member FrankEaton01 who was the person who actually ID the man by the re enlistment dates. I am Sorry to all for my mistake. Again Frank thanks for your help. Captain (CA) George Albert

[cap_george]

A little more information: he is definitely the man that served on the USS Henley at Pearl Harbor 7 Dec. 1941. Man id’ with his re enlistment dates: EM2/EM1/CEM “William Lee Davis 1931” Service #336-57-74 (FrankEaton01 – USMILITARIA Forum). “William Lee Davis 1931” Service #336-57-74 is “William Lee Davis” SSN: 556-54-2293 born 22 October 1909 (Died 8 Dec 2001 Mesa, Arizona) and that Lieutenant William Lee Davis with temporary appointment on 1 July 1944, officer's service number 113111, with permanent rank as Warrant Electrician as of 2 July 1941, and born on 22 October 1909” (Tom Nier, USMILITARIA Forum from his 1944 Naval Officers book) are all the same person. Note: “William Lee Davis” SSN: 556-54-2293 born 22 October 1909 (Died 8 Dec 2001 Mesa, Arizona) has a Naval Officer's Cap Insignia on his tombstone. As time allows I will write the NPRC for his service information. I also found in the Navy Muster Rolls at Ancestry . com an entry for CEM “William Lee Davis” Service #336-57-74 being appointed Warrant Officer as of 2 July 1941, and then he disappears from the Musters rolls after Dec. 1942. George

[cap_george]

Well it has been a while - after two tries with the NPRC -first not enough info, second closed (poppycock about not releasable data), telephone call and talk with supervisor- received info on Captain William Leonard Davis 113111 (wrong guy). I guess the Officer's number from above was incorrect as they sent a photo of Captain Davis and it has the 113111 number. So I am back waiting to see what happens next. In the mean time I hit ancestry hard. I got a few more Musters and Records of Change. But I did hit the following:

Navy Report of Change USS Fall River CA-131 for 13 Aug 1945:

Name File # Rank

Davis, William L 102182 Lieutenant

 

 

 

Service history USS Fall River CA-131

 

 

Service history USS Fall River CA-131

 

On 31 October 1945, Fall River arrived at Norfolk, out of which she sailed in experimental development operations until 31 January 1946.

 

The cruiser was assigned to JTF 1, organized to conduct Operation Crossroads, atomic weapons tests in the Marshall Islands in the s

 

summer of 1946. To prepare for this duty, Fall River sailed to San Pedro, California, where from 16 February to 6 March she was altered

 

to provide flagship accommodations. Arriving at Pearl Harbor on 17 March, she embarked Rear Admiral F. G. Fahrion, commander of the

 

target vessel's group for the tests, and with him sailed in the Marshalls between 21 May and 14 September.

 

After west coast training, Fall River served a tour of duty in the Far East as flagship of Cruiser Division 1 from 12 January 1947 to 17

 

June 1947. Authorized during WWII but completed too late to see service in that conflict, the Fall River was caught in the post-war

 

economizing measures, despite her recent completion and lack of wartime damage. She returned to Puget Sound Navy Yard, where she

 

was placed out of commission in reserve on 31 October 1947. Stricken on 19 February 1971, and sold on 28 August 1972 to Zidell

 

Explorations Corp., Portland, Oregon.

[doyler]

Well it has been a while - after two tries with the NPRC -first not enough info, second closed (poppycock about not releasable data), telephone call and talk with supervisor- received info on Captain William Leonard Davis 113111 (wrong guy). I guess the Officer's number from above was incorrect as they sent a photo of Captain Davis and it has the 113111 number. So I am back waiting to see what happens next. In the mean time I hit ancestry hard. I got a few more Musters and Records of Change. But I did hit the following:

Navy Report of Change USS Fall River CA-131 for 13 Aug 1945:

Name File # Rank

Davis, William L 102182 Lieutenant

 

 

 

Service history USS Fall River CA-131

 

 

Service history USS Fall River CA-131

 

On 31 October 1945, Fall River arrived at Norfolk, out of which she sailed in experimental development operations until 31 January 1946.

 

The cruiser was assigned to JTF 1, organized to conduct Operation Crossroads, atomic weapons tests in the Marshall Islands in the s

 

summer of 1946. To prepare for this duty, Fall River sailed to San Pedro, California, where from 16 February to 6 March she was altered

 

to provide flagship accommodations. Arriving at Pearl Harbor on 17 March, she embarked Rear Admiral F. G. Fahrion, commander of the

 

target vessel's group for the tests, and with him sailed in the Marshalls between 21 May and 14 September.

 

After west coast training, Fall River served a tour of duty in the Far East as flagship of Cruiser Division 1 from 12 January 1947 to 17

 

June 1947. Authorized during WWII but completed too late to see service in that conflict, the Fall River was caught in the post-war

 

economizing measures, despite her recent completion and lack of wartime damage. She returned to Puget Sound Navy Yard, where she

 

was placed out of commission in reserve on 31 October 1947. Stricken on 19 February 1971, and sold on 28 August 1972 to Zidell

 

Explorations Corp., Portland, Oregon.

 

 

With the NPRC sometimes its better to hire a researcher who can go there in person.

 

GOOD LUCK

[cap_george]

Well you are probably correct, but I'm cheap, so I will wait. lol. I hired a professional for the Bundes Archives - and still got LtCDM Pochenhammer's report on the Battle of the Falklands (German), instead of Kapitan Lieutenant Koehler's account of the battle from the S.M.S. Leipzig and it cost $70.00. So the "professionals" are not all that good. George

[Wharfmaster]

According ro the July 1944 Navy Register, There are two men with this name. However, only one has the middle name Lee, As follows:

 

William Lee Davis

 

File number: 113111

 

Date of Temp. Rank(LT) 1 July 1944

 

Perm. Rank Warrant Electrician: 2 July 1941

 

Birth: 22 Oct. 1909

 

See also USS Henley, 1941. Search William L. and William Lee.

 

Regards,

 

The Wharfmaster

 

 

 

 

[cap_george]

I know that information, but that Officer's number is attached to William Leonard Davis (ret. Captain). It is on his photo from the records center? Go figure? All the other data matches my man? Is it possible that that "File" number is the lead in for a series? On Leonard's photo is: File No. 113111/1101? Thanks for your response and help. George

[Wharfmaster]

I know that information, but that Officer's number is attached to William Leonard Davis (ret. Captain). It is on his photo from the records center? Go figure? All the other data matches my man? Is it possible that that "File" number is the lead in for a series? On Leonard's photo is: File No. 113111/1101? Thanks for your response and help. George

 

Thanks George.

 

The two men, both LTs are found on the same page next to each other in the Navy Register. The two may have been mixed up when printed. The other file number number is 102182, and may be the right one you need if you have confirmed Leonard's is the one you have.

 

I still believe your man is the warrant electrician on the USS Henley.

 

Regards,

 

W