John Wayne Davidson (1945 - 1968)

Born 22 Feb 1945 in Lynchburg City, Virginia, United States of America

Died 19 May 1968 at age 23 in Quảng Nam, Vietnam

Biography

John Davidson was awarded the Purple Heart.

John Davidson is a Military Veteran.
Served in the United States Marine Corps
LCpl Infantry, KIA in Vietnam

LCpl. John Davidson was killed in action during the Vietnam War.

LCpl John Davidson served in the United States Marine Corps in the Vietnam War
Service started:
Unit(s): =C Co.,1st Bn, 7th Marine Regiment; 1st Marine Division, III MAF
Service ended:

John was born in 1945. He passed away in 1968. John, the son of Pauline J. Nabors of Lynchburg VA, the husband of Linda C. Davidson and the father of Tony V. Davidson of Norfolk VA

Parents: Thomas Rudolph Davidson 1922–2009 Pauline Francis Jackson Phelps 1920–1972

Spouse: Linda Carolyn Hammock Davidson 1946–1983 (m. 1965)

Siblings: Thomas Rudolph "Tommy" Davidson Jr 1940–1986 Linda Faye Davidson Ford 1946–2016

Military

Vietnam War US Marines LCpl, C CO, 1ST BN, 7TH MARINES, 1ST MARDIV, III MAF He enlisted in the US Marine Corps on August 18, 1966 in Richmond VA. He arrived in Vietnam on January 17, 1968 and was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st MARDIV (Rein) FMF.

The lead Company, C, left the LOD (Line of Departure) on Operation MAMELUKE THRUST at at 06:00H and quickly attacked west and seized Hill 126 their first objective. Their next objective was a hill top north west of their location and while maneuvering towards it the Marines began to receive sporadic small arms fire from the high ground. Orders were given to assault, and destroy the enemy position, while maneuvering towards the enemy the Marines were hit with heavy volume of small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire from what proved to be a well dug in and equipped NVA force estimated as a reinforced Company. Company D attached to the south and were also hit with devastating enemy fire as they tried to manoeuvre towards the enemy position along a small ridge line just north of Route 4 with Vu Gia River behind it. Casualties were mounting in the difficult terrain, Fixed wing, artillery, and UH-1E gunships were used in support as well Company B supported the attack by fire. Company L under the OPCON (Operational Control) of the 1st Battalion for the operation was ordered forward supported by M48A1 Tanks to counter attack the enemy from the south and assist with the medical evacuation of the wounded. The confrontation with the enemy proved costly for the Marines, by days end, twelve Marines and two USN Corpsman were killed in action and forty one men were wounded.

One of the casualties was LCpl Davidson, he was killed in action as a result of hostile rifle fire.

Sources

Semper Fi Brother! Sgt R.C. Floyd, (Floyd-1923)

• www.virtualwall.org
• 1st Battalion 7th Marines Association and the1/7 Marines Vietnam Memorial, Marine Corps Museum, Quantico, Virginia, USA
• National Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C, USA
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69750716/john_wayne-davidson: accessed April 9, 2024), memorial page for LCpl John Wayne Davidson (22 Feb 1945–19 May 1968), Find a Grave Memorial ID 69750716, citing Spring Hill Cemetery, Lynchburg, Lynchburg City, Virginia, USA; Maintained by Victor Vilionis (contributor 47207612).