|
|
 |
Monday
March 15, 2010 Since 1922 |
WW II war hero finally gets medals
By Barrett Goldsmith
Baytown Sun Published August 27, 2007 Harry Daves has been many things in his 83 years – refinery man, husband, father, grandfather and war hero.
But these days, Daves seems an expert museum curator. His Dayton home is a treasure trove of medals, awards, official proclamations and gifts from dignitaries in honor of his outstanding service to his country. Daves shows them off with pride and an encyclopedic memory of the heroics that earned them.
And earlier this month, Daves added yet another honor to his already well-decorated name, though this last one was a bit longer in the coming. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul’s secured Daves a U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Commendation Medal from the secretary of the Navy for his heroics during an invasion of Sicily on July 11, 1943.
“I’m tickled to death,” Daves said. “I’m very grateful. Without them, I doubt I’d get anything.”
Daves is especially grateful to Linda Sullivan from Paul’s office, who helped usher the process along. On August 21st, the congressman finally received official word from the U.S. Navy that Daves would finally have his medal. Paul will be on hand at a special presentation for Daves on Oct. 11 at Wallisville Heritage Park.
The ceremony will no doubt stir memories of that day 64 years ago. Daves and his team from the 1st Division of the 16th Infantry were approaching the coast near Gela, Sicily in their watercraft. But the boat unexpectedly hit a sand bar, preventing it from reaching the beach. The troops could not disembark.
So Fireman First Class Daves volunteered to carry a 35-pound anchor ashore. The ground was riddled with holes from earlier bombing, but he found a safe route, and anchored the line to the shore. The troops began taking the rope to the shore, but heavy waves began rocking the line, causing it to fly around wildly. Then the rope was severed.
“When that rope got cut, there were soldiers on that line,” Daves said. “There was water over their heads and they were carrying heavy rifles. We pulled them hand-to-hand. We got some of them, but some of them drowned. That was a crying shame.”
Daves, only 20 years old at the time, exhibited bravery and courage, knowing he had a job to do and a war to help win. But he said there was no shortage of fear.
“I was scared to death,” Daves said. “I was barefooted with a pair of shorts on. I think most people would be scared in that situation if they had any sense. But I had a duty to those men.”
Daves said the events in Gela were trying, but his closest brush with death came during an assault on the island of Elba.
“I came that close to getting shot,” Daves said, holding out his hands about a foot apart from one another. “You could hear and feel the bullets flying by. Whoosh!”
In addition to the commendation, Daves can boast no fewer than nine official awards, including a Purple Heart and a U.S. Navy combat pin with five bronze battle stars for his work in North Africa. In 1997. Daves was honored by then-Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Daves lives with Jeffie, his wife of 61 years. The couple had two daughters, Ann and Louise, though Louise died in 1999 after a stroke. They have two grandchildren.
After the war, Daves spent 31 years working at the Humble refinery, which later became Exxon Mobil. Walking is difficult because of clots in his right leg, but he has no trouble giving anyone the tour.
“See that flag,” he said. “That flew over the capitol in Austin. I got to keep it.”
Baytown Sun Published August 27, 2007 Harry Daves has been many things in his 83 years – refinery man, husband, father, grandfather and war hero.
But these days, Daves seems an expert museum curator. His Dayton home is a treasure trove of medals, awards, official proclamations and gifts from dignitaries in honor of his outstanding service to his country. Daves shows them off with pride and an encyclopedic memory of the heroics that earned them.
And earlier this month, Daves added yet another honor to his already well-decorated name, though this last one was a bit longer in the coming. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul’s secured Daves a U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Commendation Medal from the secretary of the Navy for his heroics during an invasion of Sicily on July 11, 1943.
“I’m tickled to death,” Daves said. “I’m very grateful. Without them, I doubt I’d get anything.”
Daves is especially grateful to Linda Sullivan from Paul’s office, who helped usher the process along. On August 21st, the congressman finally received official word from the U.S. Navy that Daves would finally have his medal. Paul will be on hand at a special presentation for Daves on Oct. 11 at Wallisville Heritage Park.
The ceremony will no doubt stir memories of that day 64 years ago. Daves and his team from the 1st Division of the 16th Infantry were approaching the coast near Gela, Sicily in their watercraft. But the boat unexpectedly hit a sand bar, preventing it from reaching the beach. The troops could not disembark.
So Fireman First Class Daves volunteered to carry a 35-pound anchor ashore. The ground was riddled with holes from earlier bombing, but he found a safe route, and anchored the line to the shore. The troops began taking the rope to the shore, but heavy waves began rocking the line, causing it to fly around wildly. Then the rope was severed.
“When that rope got cut, there were soldiers on that line,” Daves said. “There was water over their heads and they were carrying heavy rifles. We pulled them hand-to-hand. We got some of them, but some of them drowned. That was a crying shame.”
Daves, only 20 years old at the time, exhibited bravery and courage, knowing he had a job to do and a war to help win. But he said there was no shortage of fear.
“I was scared to death,” Daves said. “I was barefooted with a pair of shorts on. I think most people would be scared in that situation if they had any sense. But I had a duty to those men.”
Daves said the events in Gela were trying, but his closest brush with death came during an assault on the island of Elba.
“I came that close to getting shot,” Daves said, holding out his hands about a foot apart from one another. “You could hear and feel the bullets flying by. Whoosh!”
In addition to the commendation, Daves can boast no fewer than nine official awards, including a Purple Heart and a U.S. Navy combat pin with five bronze battle stars for his work in North Africa. In 1997. Daves was honored by then-Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Daves lives with Jeffie, his wife of 61 years. The couple had two daughters, Ann and Louise, though Louise died in 1999 after a stroke. They have two grandchildren.
After the war, Daves spent 31 years working at the Humble refinery, which later became Exxon Mobil. Walking is difficult because of clots in his right leg, but he has no trouble giving anyone the tour.
“See that flag,” he said. “That flew over the capitol in Austin. I got to keep it.”