Medal of Honor
February 10, 1862
Off Elizabeth City, North Carolina, USA
- Rank at action
- Quarter Gunner
- Service
- U.S. Navy
- Conflict
- Civil War
- Unit or command
- USS Valley City
The Citation
Sources ↓Served on board the U.S.S. Valley City during action against rebel fort batteries and ships off Elizabeth City, N.C., on 10 February 1862. When a shell from the shore penetrated the side and passed through the magazine, exploding outside the screen on the berth deck, several powder division protecting bulkheads were torn to pieces and the forward part of the berth deck set on fire. Showing great presence of mind, Davis courageously covered a barrel of powder with his own body and prevented an explosion, while at the same time passing powder to provide the division on the upper deck while under fierce enemy fire.
Sources & record notes
General Order comparison: pending. Current-profile review does not mean that the underlying original order has been examined.
- John Davis — Congressional Medal of Honor Society recipient profile ↗Congressional Medal of Honor Society · Checked 2026-09-01
current identity, service, action metadata, and citation comparison
Transcription, metadata & provenance notes
- Award ID
- MOH-AW-003329
- Transcription status
- Legacy full text · current reference profile matched
- Last source check
- 2026-09-01
- Accredited to
- New Jersey
- Archive transcription SHA-256
- 2d1662b3d8001358144d6f91adf0f3e842760e11ff82f4afb1421fd96a5a1190
Legacy transcription retained without substantive editing; rendered current reference profile comparison is documented in the Phase 10 evidence snapshot.
The USS Valley City profile is selected by vessel and Elizabeth City action, distinct from other recipients named John Davis.