Many soldiers displayed remarkable bravery during the Vietnam War, but Paris Davis distinguished himself with extraordinary valor. As one of the trailblazing African-American officers in the US Army Special Forces, he exemplified true leadership by remaining with his men during a fierce attack. Nearly six decades later, his heroic actions were honored with the Medal of Honor, thanks in large part to the dedicated advocacy of his Vietnam comrades.
Paris Davis’ entry into the US Army
Paris Davis was born on May 6, 1939, in Ohio, the son of a foundry worker. From an early age, he developed a strong interest in both the US military and sports, which he actively pursued while attending Southern University in Louisiana. There, he earned a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship to study political science, played on the university’s football team, and received All-American halfback honors.
In 1962, Davis enlisted in the US Army, where his sharp mind and physical prowess quickly propelled him through the ranks. He became one of the first African-American officers in the Special Forces, a large milestone given the racial climate of that era.
As the captain of the 5th Special Forces Group, his commander cautioned him that he would need to work twice as hard to gain the respect of his men due to his race. Davis responded by making it clear to his troops that they would be knocked to the ground if they addressed him by any title other than “sir.”
Deployment to Vietnam
Paris Davis and his men were deployed to Vietnam in early 1965 and airdropped into a remote farming region in Bình Định province. The area was a main thoroughfare for Viet Cong guerrillas and North Vietnamese Army (NVA) troops, and the Green Berets were tasked with training a force of local volunteers.
Davis first distinguished himself in May 1965, when he rescued an aviation fuel truck driver in Bồng Sơn. While filled with fuel, the truck jackknifed and rolled on its side, trapping the driver. With complete disregard for his own safety and against the wishes of the vehicle’s operator, Davis jumped into action and rescued him. As he carried the man away, the truck exploded into flames.
For his actions, Davis was belatedly awarded the Soldier’s Medal in 1968.
Paris Davis didn’t want to leave any man behind
Paris Davis didn’t wait long to further distinguish himself in Vietnam, risking his life for his men during an enemy attack in June 1965. The day began early for him, the 12 servicemen with the 883rd Regional Forces Company and the accompanying 90 South Vietnamese volunteers. They’d been tasked with conducting a surprise raid on an NVA camp deep in the jungle.
Davis and Master Sgt. Billy Waugh stormed into the enemy commander’s hut and killed him at close range. At the same time, the other members of the group threw grenades and shot their rifles. The majority of the NVA troops were caught unawares and killed in their cots. Some, however, heard the commotion and escaped into the jungle.
Considering the raid a success, Davis and his men started making their way back to camp. That’s when they heard the sound of bugles, signaling an impending ambush by the NVA – and a rather large one, at that. The team was pushed into a rice paddy with no cover as sniper fire rained down on them. Three bullets struck Waugh, while another hit the medic in the head. A mortar blast also knocked out the group’s weapons specialist.
Frequently exposing himself to enemy fire, Davis rallied his unit and directed their own small arms fire throughout what became a 19-hour standoff. He himself suffered severe injuries to his leg and hand, with a grenade blast practically tearing off his trigger finger. Despite his injuries, he continued to evacuate his wounded comrades, even as air support arrived and dropped bombs over the area. Among those he rescued was Waugh.
A colonel watching the engagement from above ordered Davis to seek shelter, but he refused, as it meant leaving behind his men. He frequently shot his M16 rifle with his pinkie finger while sprinting to the injured and dragging them to safety. When relief arrived, he refused medical aid for himself until everyone had been evacuated. It’s widely believed his efforts ensured each member of his team made it out alive.
Recommended for the Medal of Honor
After the engagement, Paris Davis received the Purple Heart and Silver Star. His commander, Maj. Billy J. Cole, was so impressed by Davis’s bravery and commitment to his men that he immediately nominated him for the Medal of Honor. Frustrated by the slow progress of the process, Cole initiated an inquiry, which revealed that the original nomination had no record. Undeterred, Cole re-submitted the nomination, firmly believing Davis was deserving of the honor.
Years went by without any indication of approval for Davis’s Medal of Honor. Disheartened, his teammates advocated for him to receive the recognition, but their efforts were met with silence. Eventually, it was discovered that the second nomination had also been lost, fueling suspicions that Davis was being skipped over due to his race.
Despite these setbacks, Davis continued his service in the US Army, rising to become the commander of the 10th Special Forces Group. After retiring in 1985 with the rank of colonel, he founded The Metro Herald, a Virginian newspaper focused on civil rights and celebrating the achievements of African-American residents.
In 2019, Davis was honored with induction into the Ranger Hall of Fame.
Paris Davis is presented with the Medal of Honor
Some two years later, it was announced that then-Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller had ordered an expedited review of the Green Beret’s lost Medal of Honor nomination. Despite the deadline being March 2021, there was little in the way of updates. That is, until November 2022, when a Pentagon official told Military.com that the nomination had been approved by Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Paris Davis’ nomination was passed to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who approved it and sent it to President Joe Biden’s desk for further approval.
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On March 3, 2023, nearly 60 years after Davis’ heroics in Vietnam, he was awarded the Medal of Honor at a ceremony held at the White House. Speaking at the presentation, Biden called the veteran a “true hero” and “everything this medal means […] brave and big-hearted, determined and devoted, selfless and steadfast – America.”
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