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Lyal A. Davidson

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Lyal A. Davidson
Grave at Arlington National Cemetery
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)

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).

Biography

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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

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "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. ^ a b "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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