Vietnam Medal of Honor Recipient. His family received the award posthumously from Vice President Spiro T. Agnew at the Executive Office Building, Washington, DC on March 26, 1969 for his actions as a sergeant in Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division on September 6, 1967 at Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam. Shortly after graduating from high school in 1961, he joined the US Marine Corps and by December 1966 he had advanced to the rank of sergeant. In August 1967 he was sent to Vietnam and on September 6, 1967, he was operating with his unit in the Quang Nam Province, performing a search and clear mission during Operation Swift, when they were attacked by a large North Vietnamese force. Elements of his platoon were pinned down in a trench line and upon observing a live grenade, he threw himself on it in order to save the lives of the fellow platoon members and died as a result at the age of 25. He was also awarded a Purple Heart. His Medal of Honor citation reads" "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the right guide of the 2d Platoon, Company B, in action against enemy forces. Elements of the 2d Platoon were pinned down by a numerically superior force of attacking North Vietnamese Army Regulars. Remnants of the platoon were located in a trench line where Sgt. Davis was directing the fire of his men in an attempt to repel the enemy attack. Disregarding the enemy hand grenades and high volume of small arms and mortar fire, Sgt. Davis moved from man to man shouting words of encouragement to each of them while firing and throwing grenades at the onrushing enemy. When an enemy grenade landed in the trench in the midst of his men, Sgt. Davis, realizing the gravity of the situation, and in a final valiant act of complete self-sacrifice, instantly threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing with his body the full and terrific force of the explosion. Through his extraordinary initiative and inspiring valor in the face of almost certain death, Sgt. Davis saved his comrades from injury and possible loss of life, enabled his platoon to hold its vital position, and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country." Besides this gravesite, Davis has an upright monument in honor of him at the Rosa Park Square on Popular Street in downtown Macon. He was the first Medal of Honor recipient from Macon, Georgia. A memorial scholarship in his name was started by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia. The "USS Rodney M. Davis," a guided missile frigate of the United States Navy was launched on January 11, 1986. He was married and the couple had two daughters.