Lieutenant William Emmett Davis, born in Little Rock, Arkansas on October 14, 1918, served in the Navy during World War II. He joined the Naval Reserve on February 12, 1942 and qualified as a Naval aviator on November 4, 1942. Lieutenant Davis conducted 104 carrier combat missions; shot down four Japanese planes and destroyed two others on the ground; sailed 140,000 nautical miles. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and a series of ribbons and stars. He was honorably discharged on December 7, 1945. He returned to Little Rock and set up a photography business.
Mr. Davis passed away on February 13, 2016.
Series I
Box 1
File 1 – Biographical information and list of hours flown
File 2 – Naval aviator training certificate and badge
File 3 – Photos of Davis, friends, and squadron (8”x10”)
File 4 – Photos of landscapes, camp, and Navy planes
File 5 – Large prints of Navy planes
File 6 – Jerk – The Navy Yank , April 17, June 18, August 5 1945; USS Anzio News Extra August 15, 1945
File 7 – Paperwork 1941 to 1945: Enlistment, physical exam, orders, and demobilization
File 8 – Paperwork 1953 to 1957: Pay, coursework, and training
File 9 – U.S. Navy Officer Service Record
File 10 – Honorable Discharge Certificate, Authorization of Decoration, Certificate of Satisfactory Service
Item1 – Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross
End of Box 1
Box 2
File 1 – Davis’ student pilot rating book
File 2 – Davis’ flight log books
File 3 – Checklist for F9F-6
File 4 – Booklets on F4F Wildcat, Sport Aviation Dec. 1994, and Flight Journal February 2001
File 5 – G.P. Davis, relative who served in Confederate Army in Civil War
End of Box 2
Box 3
This box contains several folders and two smaller boxes that hold a collection of items from Davis’ service in the Navy
File 1 – Stencil of Davis’ name: “WM. E. DAVIS” and leather patch
File 2 – Cribbage game with instructions and Two decks of cards
File 3 – Two sleeves of pins
File 4 – Two sleeves of Navy Wings, dog tags and bracelet with name engraved
Item 1 – Belt, sewing kit, canteen, CSA buckle
Item 2 – compass for wrist, compass “watch,” pouch, lighter with inscription from Christmas 1943
End of Box 3
End of Series