DAVIS CUP DONOR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18876, 31 May 1923, Page 8

DAVIS CUP DONOR

DECORATED FOR SERVICE IN • FRANCE. The Davis Cup has been in the minds of the public very prominently of late. Its donor is not alpne a man of lawn tennis distinction, but one who has won the very high esteem of the American people. Dwight F. Davis, of Missouri the new Assistant Secretary of War in tn© United States, has received the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action during the world war. Ho was then, major, and. late lieutenant-colonel of infantry, having entered the military service as a captain in the Fifth Missouri Infantry. The award was a surprise to Mr Davis. It was made by the War Department’s Board of Awards before it became known that Mr Davis was to be appointed Assistant Secretary. When the recommendation was laid before Secretary Weeks, who was aware of President Harding’s intention to make the appointment, he decided to keep Mr Davis in ignorance until the latter qualified as Assistant Secretary. When Mr Davis was inducted into the office of Assistant Secretary of War, Secretary Weeks pinned the Distinguished Service Cross on his coat. Mr Davis was a member of the War Finance Corporation when he was nominated for Assistant Secretary. He was bom in St. Louis. July 5. 1879. He has been Park Commissioner of St. Louis. He was twice cited for gallantry in France during the war. The citation in connection-with the award of the D.S.C. is: “Dwight F. Davis, then major, late<r lieutcnant-oolonel. infantry. United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in action between Baulny and Chaudron Farm, France, September, 29-30, 1918. After exposure to severe shelling and machine gun fire for three days, during which time ha displayed rare courage and' devotion to duty. Maior Davis- then adjutant 69th Infantry Brigade, voluntarily and in the face of intense enemy machine gun and artillery fire, proceeded to various points in his brigade sector, assisted in reorganising positions and in renlacing units of the brigade, this self-imposed duty necessitating continued exposure to concentrated enemy fire. “September 50. 1918, learning that a strong counter-attack had been launched by the enemy against Baulny Ridge, and was progressing successfully, he voluntarily organised such special duty men as could be found, and. with them, rushed forward to reinforce the line under attack, exposing himself with such coolness and great courage that his conduct inspired the troops in this crisis and enabled them to hold on in the face of vastly superior numbers.”