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Personal info

Full name
DAVIS, Rufus Jackson
Date of birth
2 September 1921
Age
23
Place of birth
Crenshaw County, Alabama
Hometown
Butler County, Alabama

Military service

Service number
6971314
Rank
Private First Class
Function
unknown
Unit
Reconnaissance Company,
67th Armored Regiment,
2nd Armored Division,
1st Platoon
Awards
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
31 March 1945
Place of death
Dortmund-Ems Canal, in the vicinity of Ludingshausen, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
H 9 6

Immediate family

Members
James Davis (father)
Annie L. (Moseley) Davis (mother)
Emmie Davis (sister)
Janie R. Davis (sister)
Roy Davis Sr. (brother)
James H. Davis (brother)
Lee A. Davis (sister)
Lela F. Davis (sister)
Iva M. Davis (sister)

More information

On 31 March 1945 the Reconnaissance Company was cut off from the First Battalion Task Force which was five miles behind it. At 0500 the 1st Platoon were fired on by a strong enemy defense, it lost three vehicles and seven men were killed immediatly. The platoon was able to hold their position and radio the situation back. At 0900 hours the task force moved out and passed through their positions with heavy fighting. It was found that Lt. Gascich, Sgt. Razniak and five others had been killed, two were injured and with them ten others were held prisoner in a farm house. Other men had made their escape or were keeping cover in the swamps and ditches.

On one photo Pfc Davis poses with one of his army buddies. It was taken at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Doug Davis, www.wwiimemorial.com, http://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org - After Action Report CCB, History 67th Armored Regiment, www.ancestry.com - Family Trees

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Doug Davis