Robert Arnold Davis was born on New Years Eve - December 31^st 1940.

His parents Clement and Viola S. Davis resided in the town of Lincoln University, Pennsylvania (near Oxford).   Robert was one of eight children: Wesley, Deborah, Thomas, Larry, Robert, Blair, Gilbert, and the youngest, Sally.

Robert, who was called Bobby by his family and friends, was a member of the Lincoln University Mennonite Church. He attended school at the Villanova Academy in Cochranville, an integrated one-room school then located on the northeast corner of Routes 10 and 926.

Bobby attended Oxford High School, participating in their Vocational-Agriculture Course.  He had a gift for working with animals, he seemed to communicate with them.  He had a pet cow named Roberta, which he trained to do tricks like a dog.  Kenneth Thompson who headed the Vo-Ag Department described Robert as: “a good boy, very conscientious with his feet on the ground….that he carried responsibility easily and well.” While in school, he worked at the Hooper Vines at Lincoln University. Mrs. Vines said of Robert: “He was a good boy all the way around and a good farmer.”

 

He graduated from Oxford High School in 1960.   The yearbook says of Robert: “He did nothing in particular and he did it very well.  Humor in a quiet vein…friendly unobtrusiveness…”  He was a projectionist, and served on the Fire patrol.

Niece Wanda, (Sister Deborah’s daughter, who today is a professor at Buffalo State University), thought of Bobby more as a brother then an uncle.  She fondly remembers Bobby taking her by the hand and walking her to her first day of school.  She said she was “walking tall” with her big ‘brother’, so tall and handsome, strong but gentle.

Bobby loved the weekly visits from his nephew Wayne and niece Renee (brother Wesley’s son and oldest daughter).  He would take them to the Grubb farm and let them play ride the tractor.

Bobby was somewhat quiet, but always friendly, and would do anything to help a friend, which eventually led to his death.

Bobby had a bit of a wild side, he loved fast cars.  His first car was a 1956 Chevy, then he soon upgraded to an 1960 Chevy Impala, which he "souped up" and changed to a manual, "4-on-the-floor transmission.  He raced his Chevy at Cecil County Dragway in Maryland.

After graduation, Robert helped operate the farm of Mrs. Francis Grubb at Lincoln, until the farm was sold.   Mrs. Grubb described Robert: “a very nice person and a very good farmer…So many boys just can’t find themselves, but Bob knew what he wanted to do.”  Her husband was then the County Sheriff.

His family moved to 611 W. South St., Kennett Square in 1963.  The same year on November 26^th, Robert was drafted into the Army. After his military service, Robert planned to return and purchase a farm with a GI Loan to raise Black Angus cattle.

Robert received basic training at Fort Jackson, and advance training at Fort Benning, Georgia.  He was assigned to the Company C, 7^th Battalion, 1^st Calvary Air Mobile Division.  This was a new concept, and a change from the renown paratroops of the Airborne Divisions.  The concept was the rapid moving of troops into battle using helicopters.  Tactics and training were developed in this new concept of military maneuver at Fort Benning.

Robert’s unit was sent overseas to Vietnam in September 1965 under the leadership of Colonel Hal Moore. Their first battle  was on November 14^th an insertion of the Ia Drang (Ia means River) area  River in South close to where the Ho Chi Minh supply line from the North crossed the river. In the ensuing battle, 450 men of Robert’s unit were attacked by over 2000 North Vietnamese.  This was the first major battle involving American troops and the North Vietnamese Army. 

Reporter Joe Galloway joined the forces to report on the raging battle.  Joe Galloway and Col. Moore co-wrote the 1993 book  “We were soldiers Once and Young”. .  The book was made into a movie released in 2003, accurately depicting the horror and courage of this battle.

Bobby was not an aggressive man by nature, but he was trained in combat and had a job to do, most importantly to protect his fellow soldiers. On the second day of the battle, November 15^th, PFC Robert Davis was Killed In Action. during continual attacks by a larger enemy force, Robert repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire in order to keep his unit from becoming overrun. He died protecting his friends.

His mother Viola (lovingly know as Polly, Mother, or Mom-Mom), received Robert’s last letter in mid October.

“I am trying to keep track of the days.   One day is just like another, even Sundays.  I am counting the days and I have abut 32 left….I got a letter from Blair.  He said he was on his way.  I am going to look him up before I leave.  I should be home in about 30 more days so if I don’t write again, I will see you then.”

 

 

Blair accompanied his body home.  His mother passed on March 17th of this year.

Robert's mother left the lights on and the door unlocked for two weeks, expecting Robert’s return.  Five of his brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews and friends were at the Davis home for Thanksgiving awaiting Bobby's return..  Then next day, Friday, Mother called a friend of Robert’s who had just returned home from the service to inquire if he knew of her son’s whereabouts.  Fifteen minutes later, she received a telegram informing her Robert was Killed In Action on November 15^th – eleven days before his discharge.

Robert’s Funeral service was held on Thursday, December 9^th   at the Lincoln University Mennonite Church. The Rev. J. Robert Hershey, pastor, officiated. Kennett Square Mayor Francis R. Tworzydlo attended expressing “heartfelt recognition” on behalf of the Community. Interment with full military honors was in the Rolling Green Memorial Park (on Rt. 3 just outside of West Chester), in ground donated by the cemetery as a tribute to Robert. He was the first combat fatality from Chester County in Vietnam.

PFC Robert was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with “V” for Valor posthumously. The citation for the Bronze Star with “V” reads:

“This outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty and personal bravery is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon Spec. Four Davis, his unit and the United States Army.”

 

Robert was a peaceful man, who just wanted to be a farmer.  He did not like killing, but he answered when his country called, and he did his duty.

Three of Roberts brothers served:  Thomas in the Air Force, Blair and Gilbert in the Army.

Bobby’s mother, Viola, passed away on March 17, 2006.  Before her passing she learned that we were writing Bobby’s story. Viola said it brought her peace, because her son’s story would be told, that Bobby would be remembered.

Wanda began the Robert A. Davis Scholarship (RAD Scholars) at Buffalo State University for students to continue their education for professional development.  She plans to begin a scholarship in Oxford in Robert’s name in the near future.

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Robert A. Davis
1940-1965