Harold Owen Davis

Boot camp at Parris Island with Twelfth Recruit Battalion; outposted to Battery L, Fourth Battalion, 11th Marines at New River, North Carolina, on 4 April 1944. Transferred to H&S Battery, First Separate Pack Howitzer Battalion at Camp Lejeune in summer of 1942; deployed overseas to Samoan defensive group. On 22 October 1942, transferred to Baker Company, First Battalion, 8th Marines.

Participated in the battles of Guadalcanal (November 1942 – January 1943) and Tarawa (November 21 – November 23, 1943). On 16 December 1943, evacuated from New Zealand via USS Solace for treatment at a Stateside hospital.

Admitted to US Naval Hospital San Diego; under treatment until 14 April 1944, at which date reported absent over leave. Failed to return within thirty days; declared a deserter, and a reward offered for his apprehension. Voluntarily surrendered at Marine Corps Recruiting Station Dayton, OH, on 28 March 1944. Convicited of desertion and sentenced to $150 fine and bad conduct discharge; BCD waived in favor of six months probation.

After serving confinement, assigned duty with the 13th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion at Camp Lejeune, NC. Transferred from 13th AA Arty Bn in September 1944; to Transient Center, Fleet Marine Force for assignment. Assigned to Charlie Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines at Camp Maui on 19 September 1944.

Outfit: C/1/24th Marines
Rank: Private
MOS: 604 (Machine Gunner)
Important Events:
March 1, 1945 – killed in action (mortar shrapnel wounds) when a shell hit the crater where his squad was taking cover
March 6, 1945 – buried in Plot 1, Row 23, Grave 1119, Fourth Marine Division Cemetery

Campaign Narrative