USS Rodney M. Davis Pays Tribute to Ship’s Namesake

The crew of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) held a ceremony on Sept. 8 to pay tribute to the ship’s namesake on the 47th anniversary of his passing.

Sgt. Rodney Maxwell Davis, from Macon, Georgia, was posthumously awarded the nation’s highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for heroism during the Vietnam War.

Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class Brandon Sullivan, from Bozeman, Montana, opened the ceremony with a description of Davis’ youth and military service.

After graduating from Peter G. Appling High School in 1961, Davis enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving as a rifleman and guard in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and London. In August 1967, Davis was a platoon guide with Company B, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division. While conducting a search and clear mission in the Quang Nam province during Operation Swift, Davis and his unit were attacked by North Vietnamese forces. Despite heavy automatic fire and repeated mortar launches, Davis encouraged each of his men to keep fighting while continuing to fire back at the enemy.

When an enemy grenade landed in the trench, he threw himself upon the grenade, sacrificing his life for his fellow Marines.

Personnel Specialist 1st Class Bobby Boyles, from Elko, Nevada, then explained the meaning of the ship’s crest and motto, “By valor and arms.” The crest features a heraldic pelican wounding her breast to feed her young, symbolizing Davis’ selfless act of heroism.

Rodney M. Davis, based out of Everett, Washington, is on patrol in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.