William C Davis

William C. Davis (May 11, 1866 – September 23, 1958) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, Boxer Rebellion, World War I, he attained the rank of major general and was a recipient of the Army Distinguished Service Medal. Davis was most notable for his First World War command of the 31st Heavy Artillery Brigade, 32nd Heavy Artillery Brigade, and the V Corps Artillery.

Early life William Church Davis was born in Solon, New York on May 11, 1866, the son of Samuel Davis and Roxanna (Brown) Davis. He was raised on his parents' farm in Solon and attended the Baker District School and Cortland Normal School. He was an 1886 graduate of Spencer Academy.

In 1886, Davis received an appointment to the United States Military Academy from Congressman Frank Hiscock. From 1904 to 1907, he was again stationed at the Presidio of San Francisco, this time as engineer of the artillery district that included San Francisco Bay. After arriving in France, Davis' brigade completed training at Limoges, then moved to the front in time to participate in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel.

Davis later commanded the V Corps Artillery, which included his own brigade, two battalions of French field artillery, a battalion of French heavy artillery, and four separate French field artillery batteries.

Davis retired from the Organized Reserve Corps upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 64 in 1930. In June 1930, Congress passed legislation allowing World War I general officers to retire at the highest rank they had held, and Davis was promoted to brigadier general on the retired list. In 1942, Congress enacted a law permitting general officers from World War I to be advanced one grade on the retired list if they had been recommended during the war for a promotion they did not receive, and if they had received the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, or Army Distinguished Service Medal. Davis met these criteria, and was advanced to major general on the retired list.

Davis died in Berkeley on September 23, 1958. He was buried at San Francisco National Cemetery.

Family In 1896, Davis married Margaret Turner Schenck (1875–1971), daughter of Army officer Alexander DuBois Schenck They were married until his death and were the parents of four children, three of whom lived to adulthood: Margaret Brown Davis (1897–1987), William Schenck Davis (1899–1981), Samuel Schenck Davis (1906–1982), and Alexander DuBois Schenck Davis (1910–1911).