|
TAPS
Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night. |
|
|
|
|
BORN:
October 28, 1877 at Germany
Entered Service in the US
Navy from New York, NY
Earned
The Medal of Honor During the Spanish-American War For heroism
on May 11, 1898 at Cienfuegos, Cuba
DIED: June 09, 1970 at the age of 92
|
|
John Davis was
one of 52 sailors and Marines cited for bravery and coolness in
the face of enemy fire during the cutting of cables at Cienfuegos,
Cuba on 11 May 1898. The mission was a daring operation to cut
undersea cables linking the Spanish fortifications at Cienfuegos
with the rest of the world. Destruction of the cables was ordered
to disrupt communications. In two boats, sailors from the USS
Nashville and the USS Marblehead were joined by a Marine guard as
they moved within 15 feet of the enemy shore, under fire from the
hidden enemy, to dredge up and cut two such cables. During the 80
minute operation, the cable cutting party was under constant enemy
fire from a short range, while they coolly dredged the cables
across the bow of their boats, then cut through them with
hacksaws. When a cable was severed, the seaward end was
transported back to the USS Marblehead, which then moved further
from shore to drop the ends in deeper water and make repair
impossible. So intense was the enemy presence, and so daring the
American support, Captain Maynard of the Nashville was wounded in
the action. With great courage, the mission was accomplished.
|
|
