Robert Lee Davis was the son of Robert Madison Davis and Emmert Younan.
Missing since 14 July 1942
Pilot, 2nd Lt Robert L. Davis
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Harry P. Forry
T/Sgt Jack H. Dorsett
Pvt Robert E. Taylor
Personnel referred to departed from APO 924 on 9 July 1942. They departed from APO 922 in Flight L-5, 1007 K 14 july 1942, on route to APO 929 via Cooktown for refueling. Plane is believed to have gone down between APO 922 and Lully. Upon failure to arrive at final destination, several other aircraft and crews were sent out as searching parties, but discovered no trace of the missing airplane or his crew, nor have they been located subsequently.
The C-56 airplane was last seen on 14 July 1942 during a flight between two cities in Queensland, Australia, entering a cloud bank at 300 feet altitude. The plane’s normal route would have been near the east coast of Australia and probably a part of the route would have been over the sea. It was concluded that the plane either crashed or was forced down on land or sea in an area under control of friendly forces.
In addition to his memorial at the Manila American Cemetery, he has one at Happy Valley Memorial Park, Elizabethton, TN.
The Elizabethton Star, 17 October 1942
Coach Steve Lacy of Milligan College informs the Star that the football game between Milligan College and Emory and Henry College, to be played at Bristol, October 24, will be dedicated to Robert Lee Davis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Davis of this city, who was graduated from Elizabethton High School in 1939 and entered Milligan College that fall. This honor is bestowed upon one of Elizabethton’s most popular young men, a hero of World War II. Lieut. Davis was reported missing in an engagement on July 14 while participating as an air corps officer in the South Pacific theatre of war. He entered the Army on March 15, 1941 and steadily rose to the rank of first lieutenant.
Photo courtesy: Joel Frampton Gilfert
- Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Date of birth: 6 October 1921
- Date of death: 14 July 1942
- County: Carter
- Hometown: Elizabethton
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 22nd Transport Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Silver Star
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Philippines
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VIII, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Robert L. Davis
Image Gallery
Click a thumbnail below to view at full size.
