Lieutenant William Emmett Davis, born in Little Rock, Ƶ 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
