Paris Davis

Paris D. Davis (born 13 May 1939) is a retired United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor on 3 March 2023 for his actions on 18 June 1965 during the Vietnam War, while he was a captain with the 5th Special Forces Group. Originally awarded the Silver Star, Davis was twice previously nominated for the Medal of Honor, but both times the paperwork relating to his nomination disappeared; the time from the first nomination to the completion of a successful third nomination spanned 58 years.

Following his Medal of Honor action, Davis subsequently commanded the 10th Special Forces Group. He retired in 1985 as a full colonel after 26 years on active duty, and published the Metro Herald for another 30 years before fully retiring. He lives in Arlington County, Virginia.

Early life Davis studied political science at Southern University at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on a Reserve Officers' Training Corps scholarship.

Military career Davis was commissioned as a Reserve Component officer on 1 June 1959, and earned Airborne and Ranger qualifications in 1960, and Special Forces qualification in 1962. His initial overseas tours included South Korea, South Vietnam (1962–1963) and Okinawa, Japan.

Davis arrived for his second tour in South Vietnam in April 1965 and took command of the 5th Special Forces Groups Team A-321 at Camp Bồng Sơn , Bình Định Province, II Corps.

Davis received the Silver Star and the Purple Heart for his efforts in this action.

Davis served a third tour in Vietnam in 1969, and later commanded the 10th Special Forces Group and retired from the army as a colonel in 1985.

In January 2021 then-Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller ordered an expedited review of the lost nomination, to be completed by March 2021. In a June 2021 editorial Miller wrote that the military bureaucracy was again stalling the review and urged President Joe Biden to award Davis the Medal of Honor. In November 2022 it was reported that the nomination had been approved by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, and was awaiting approval by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. On 14 February 2023, it was confirmed that Davis would finally receive the Medal of Honor.

On 3 March 2023, Davis finally received the Medal of Honor 58 years after he was first nominated for it, the third nomination having the direct support and involvement of two different Secretaries of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the President of the United States. In accordance with custom for presenting the Medal of Honor, President Joe Biden presented the Medal of Honor to Davis personally in a ceremony at the White House.

Later life Davis published the Metro Herald newspaper in Virginia for 30 years. He is now retired and lives in Arlington County, Virginia.

In 2019 Davis was inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame.

At Fort Belvoir, Virginia on 13 SEP 2024, Military Intelligence Corps Association (MICA) Potomac Chapter members received Davis as their special guest. As coordinated by leadership with MICA National HQ, Colonel Charles Atkins, Ft. Huachuca, and MICA Potomac Chapter President, Major General Gregg C. Potter presented the Knowlton Award to Colonel Davis. The Knowlton Award was awarded to Davis, himself a highly decorated Army Ranger and Special Forces Officer, for “epitomiz[ing] the individual professionalism, bravery, patriotism, distinguished service and exemplary dedication to duty and country” upon which the Knowlton Award is based. The Knowlton Award recognizes the exceptional service of MI Corps hero Lieutenant Thomas Knowlton, commander of the first US Army unit dedicated to hazardous Intelligence and Reconnaissance functions – the Continental Army’s Knowlton’s Rangers.

On 14 June 2025 Davis, along with five other Medal of Honor recipients, participated in military, White House and Congressional Medal of Honor Society events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and Flag Day.

On 17 June 2025 an autobiography of Davis was published by St. Martin's Press. The book is titled "Every Weapon I Had: A Vietnam Vet's Long Road to the Medal of Honor." By Paris Davis with Theo Emery. It covers the author's early life, joining the US Army, volunteering for Airborne training and Special Forces qualification, his deployments to the Republic of Vietnam, and his experiences following the war, up to the moment he was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2023.

Medal of Honor Citation On 1 March 2023 it was announced that President Joe Biden would present the Medal of Honor to Davis on 3 March 2023 in a ceremony at the White House.

Honors and awards Davis' personal decorations include:

Combat Infantryman Badge Medal of Honor (upgraded on 3 March 2023 from a Silver Star awarded 15 December 1965) Soldier's Medal for Heroism 16 December 1968 Bronze Star Medal with "V" device and 1 bronze oak leaf cluster 13 April 1966 Purple Heart with 1 bronze oak leaf cluster Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal with 1 bronze oak leaf cluster Air Medal with "V" device & award numerals 2 25 November 1969 Joint Service Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal with "V" device and 3 oak leaf clusters 29 May 1968 Army Commendation Medal National Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal with 3 service stars Korea Defense Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal Army Service Ribbon Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze star Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm 15 May 1968, Gold Star 16 May 1965, Silver Star 29 May 1965, and Bronze Star 16 June 1965 Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal First Class 15 May 1968 Vietnam Campaign Medal Special Forces Tab Ranger Tab AirborneUS Army Special Forces Combat Service Identification Badge Master Parachutist Badge Expert Marksmanship badge with rifle component bar Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge Special Forces Distinctive Unit Insignia Republic of Vietnam Master Parachute Badge Presidential Unit Citation Navy Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation Army Staff Identification Badge 8 Overseas Service Bars