Lyal A. Davidson

Lyal Ament Davidson (2 December 1886 – 29 December 1950) was a Vice admiral of the United States Navy who served in World War I and World War II. He was a two time recipient of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. He was also the namesake of USS Davidson (FF-1045).

Lyal A. Davidson
Birth nameLyal Ament Davidson
Born(1886-12-02)December 2, 1886
Muscatine, Iowa
DiedDecember 29, 1950(1950-12-29) (aged 64)
Bethesda, Maryland
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1912–1946
Rank Vice admiral
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
Awards
Gold star
Navy DSM (2)
Gold star
Legion of Merit (2)
Spouse(s)Carolyn G. Davidson (1893–1980)

Biography

Lyal Ament Davidson was born 2 December 1886 in Muscatine, Iowa to Colonel Joseph T. Davidson (US Army) and Judith (Ament) Davidson. After attending Muscatine High School, he was appointed a Midshipman in 1906. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1910 and was commissioned as an Ensign in 1912, after two years at sea.[1]

Assigned to USS New Hampshire (BB-25), Davidson received a commendation for service while on the landing force during the Battle of Vera Cruz in 1914.[1][2][3]

During World War II, Davidson took command of Cruiser Division 8 using USS Philadelphia (CL-41) as his flagship. He received one Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his leadership during the November 1942 invasion of North Africa, in Morocco.[4]

He received a Legion of Merit for command of a task force during the invasion of Italy in 1943.[5]

He received a second Navy Distinguished Service Medal for command of Task Force 86, aboard USS Augusta (CA-31), during the 1944 invasion of Southern France.[6]

He received a second Legion of Merit for his meritorious service in World War II.[5]

After October 1944, he served in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations and then the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee. He retired as a Vice Admiral in June 1946 and lived in Washington DC. Davidson died after a lengthy illness at Bethesda Naval Hospital on 29 December 1950. He was survived by his wife and three children.[1] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on 4 January 1951, section 2, grave 4695-A. His wife Carolyn was buried there as well, after her death in 1980.[7]

Awards and honors

References
  1. "Commission New Destroyer Escort Tuesday Named for Muscatine Native". Muscatine, Iowa Journal. 6 December 1965. p. 2.
  2. "Honorable Mention of Ensign Davidson". Muscatine Journal. 8 June 1914. p. 5. Ensign Davidson is one of six in the third regiment to be given honorable mention for having assisted wounded under fire.
  3. Fletcher, F. F. (13 June 1914). "Naval Gallantry at Vera Cruz". Army-Navy-Air Force Register and Defense Times. 55: 744. … the commander of the third regiment in his report mentions the following officers for assisting wounded while under fire: … L. A. Davidson, U.S. Navy
  4. "Navy Distinguished Service Medal" (PDF). All Hands. United States Navy: 55.
  5. "Lyal A. Davidson". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  6. "Navy Distinguished Service Medal" (PDF). All Hands. United States Navy: 56.
  7. "Lyal A. Davidson Burial Details". ancexplorer.army.mil. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  8. "Adm. Lyal A. Davidson Dies in Bethesda, MD". Newport Daily News. 3 January 1951. p. 2.
  9. Russell, Walter (1 October 1964). "New Navy Ship to Carry Name of Muscatine Native". Muscatine Journal. p. 2.
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