Born and raised in Hopkinton, Russell Davis is yet another Hopkinton veteran who served on Okinawa.  Davis graduated in 1943 from Holy Cross. He served as a Marine rifleman and scout in the 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Regiment, Second Battalion, from 1942 to 1946 and fought in the Peleliu and Okinawa campaigns. The division was known as the “Old Breed”.

 

On 1 April 1945, as part of the III Amphibious Corps, the Division was an integral part of the assault at the Hagushi beaches on the western coast of Okinawa where they fought alongside the 6th Marine Division in the northern half of the island. During April, the 1st Marine Division processed refugees by day and conducted patrols and ambushes at night. “For most of April, the First was employed in a hard-driving campaign to secure the northern sections of Okinawa, but that ended on 30 April 1945, when the Old Breed went into the lines against the teeth of the Japanese defenses on the southern front” (“Spotlight”). They drew heavy fire as they smashed up against the Shuri Line, “an almost impassable line of ridges that ran from west to east” (“The Battle of Okinawa”). On 2 May 1945, the Division attacked south where they met heavy resistance and severe wet weather. The Old Breed entered four straight weeks of hell, including close-range cave fighting. “This fighting contrasted dramatically with the unopposed landings and initial rapid advancements of the previous weeks. The Shuri defenses were deeply dug into the limestone cliffs and boasted mutually supporting positions as well as a wealth of artillery of various calibers” (“Military”).

 

On 31 May 1945, they completed the occupation of the Shuri Castle. Kunishi Ridge was a major obstacle for the 1st Division as the Battle of Okinawa was nearing its end. The Ridge was steep, coral escarpment, honeycombed with caves and tunnels, and within 500 yards covered from behind by Mezado Ridge. Japanese infantry infested the hidden bunkers. Japanese gunners repulsed the first assaults on 11 June 1945. Marines mounted the Ridge at night. A medium Sherman tank was used to bring supplies up the slopes and the wounded down the slopes of the Ridge. The 1st Marine Division conducted another night assault on 13-14 June 1945 with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Regiment – Russell Davis’ unit. There were many losses. By 15 June 1945, the Old Breed had been in the division line for 12 straight days and sustained 500 casualties; they were relieved by the 5th Marines. Kunishi fighting continued for several days.

 

Davis wrote a book about his experiences as a Marine entitled “Marine at War”. An excerpt from his book reads, "Let's get killed up on that high ground there," he said. "It ain't no good to get it down here." As the men stumbled out for him, he said, "That's the good lads." The whole motley lot — a fighting outfit only in the minds of a few officers in the First Regiment and in the First Division — started up the hill. I have never understood why. They were the hard core — the men who couldn't or wouldn't quit. They would go up a thousand blazing hills and through a hundred blasted valleys, as long as their legs would carry them. They were Marine riflemen (“Davis”).