Oral History Interview with Eugene W. Davis, April 16, 2008

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The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Davis. In the California State Military Reserve, Davis kept watch over the Central Valley, home to many Japanese-American farmers. Having worked with the phone company, he hoped to become a Signal Corps officer, but was not content to wait. He joined the Marine Corps in 1942, becoming a drill instructor. He then joined the V Amphibious Corps in 1943 as an NCO in command of 200 corpsmen. Departing for Hawaii, he was court-martialed for leaving the ship to bid his wife farewell. His rank reduced to private, … continued below

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49 p.

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Davis, Eugene W April 16, 2008.

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This text is part of the collection entitled: National Museum of the Pacific War Oral History Collection and was provided by the National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation to The Portal to Texas History, a digital repository hosted by the UNT Libraries. More information about this text can be viewed below.

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National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Established in 1967, the Museum honors the 8 million Americans who served in WWII in the Pacific Theater by sharing their stories with the world. Located in Fredericksburg in the restored Nimitz "Steamboat" Hotel, the Museum partners with the Texas Historical Commission to preserve the historical resources of the era.

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The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Davis. In the California State Military Reserve, Davis kept watch over the Central Valley, home to many Japanese-American farmers. Having worked with the phone company, he hoped to become a Signal Corps officer, but was not content to wait. He joined the Marine Corps in 1942, becoming a drill instructor. He then joined the V Amphibious Corps in 1943 as an NCO in command of 200 corpsmen. Departing for Hawaii, he was court-martialed for leaving the ship to bid his wife farewell. His rank reduced to private, he was sentenced to 20 days in the brig, which he served in the brig sergeant’s quarters, playing cards with him. At Pearl Harbor, Davis guarded the headquarters, saluting FDR when he arrived. Davis transferred to a salvage platoon on Kwajalein, fighting fires and routinely encountering delay-action bombs. He transferred to Saipan with the 6th Field Depot, later reorganized as the 7th Service Regiment, sighting several Japanese holdouts. He drove a DUKW in the initial assault on Okinawa. After a stint in Tianjin, Davis returned to the States and was discharged in early 1946.

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49 p.

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National Museum of the Pacific War Oral History Collection

This oral history collection depicts an instrumental era in American history. In these transcripts of interviews with World War II veterans are personal experiences with the war, from the Doolittle Raid and D-Day to the Battle for Bataan.

National Museum of the Pacific War Digital Archive

The Digital Archive presents digitized collections from the Center for Pacific War Studies collections at the National Museum of the Pacific War. Collections and material are continuously being added and represent only a small portion of the archives' physical holdings.

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Oral History Interview with Eugene W. Davis, April 16, 2008 (Sound)

Oral History Interview with Eugene W. Davis, April 16, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Davis. In the California State Military Reserve, Davis kept watch over the Central Valley, home to many Japanese-American farmers. Having worked with the phone company, he hoped to become a Signal Corps officer, but was not content to wait. He joined the Marine Corps in 1942, becoming a drill instructor. He then joined the V Amphibious Corps in 1943 as an NCO in command of 200 corpsmen. Departing for Hawaii, he was court-martialed for leaving the ship to bid his wife farewell. His rank reduced to private, he was sentenced to 20 days in the brig, which he served in the brig sergeant’s quarters, playing cards with him. At Pearl Harbor, Davis guarded the headquarters, saluting FDR when he arrived. Davis transferred to a salvage platoon on Kwajalein, fighting fires and routinely encountering delay-action bombs. He transferred to Saipan with the 6th Field Depot, later reorganized as the 7th Service Regiment, sighting several Japanese holdouts. He drove a DUKW in the initial assault on Okinawa. After a stint in Tianjin, Davis returned to the States and was discharged in early 1946.

Oral History Interview with Eugene W. Davis, April 16, 2008 - ark:/67531/metapth1609204

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  • April 16, 2008

Added to The Portal to Texas History

  • Oct. 15, 2023, 5:53 p.m.

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Davis, Eugene W. Oral History Interview with Eugene W. Davis, April 16, 2008, text, April 16, 2008; Fredericksburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1605396/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation.

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