THE WALL OF FACES

I never met Bob, but I'm very fortunate to have been named after him. I am his nephew, born to his younger sister Cathy. I am so thankful to this website and these memories to help me learn about the man he was. His sister Cathy, my mother, and I are the only family members of his still alive. Unfortunately, my mother was only 9 when he passed so, being so young, she doesn't have a tremendous amount of memories aside from him being a devoted and loving big brother.

We've come across his medals, his letters home and the cards and notes from his funeral recently so that has been very rewarding.

Bob, thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you all for your memories and for helping me to learn about a great man.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your friend Dennis Clayton is moving. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever…..

Bobby, as I remember him (I was 5,6,7,8,9 and Bobby was 6 months younger), was my best friend on Goodfellow Ave. in Alton, IL. Bobby lived a few houses up the street. We played every day...baseball, wiffle ball, marbles, "war"; we raced our homemade "racecars" down Goodfellow to Come In Place; we collected sodie bottles for cash to go to the Saturday matinees; we ate at each other's homes. My family moved to Wichita, KS in 1956 and in 1966 I enlisted into the Air Force. Once, while on leave, I stopped by Bobby's house to say hi. Mrs. Davis answered the door and I introduced myself. I immediately knew something was very wrong but she invited me in. Mrs. Davis shared with me that Bobby had recently been killed. She was devastated of course and I felt I had made things much worse by being there. I'm 75 now and still think of Bobby often. God bless you PFC Robert Davis and thank you from a grateful Nation for your supreme sacrifice.

Bobby, as I knew him, was my best friend growing up on Goodfellow Ave. in Alton, IL. We played "war", baseball, wiffle ball, marbles, collected bottles for cash to go to the Saturday matinees, ate at each other's homes, built "forts" and raced down Goodfellow to Come In Place in our homemade "race cars". (I was 5,6,7,8,9 and Bobby was 6 months younger). Yes, we were best friends until my family moved to Wichita, KS in 1956. I entered the Air Force in '66 and once, while visiting Alton, I stopped by Bobby's home to see him. His Mother answered the door, I introduced myself and right away I knew something was very wrong. Bobby had recently been killed; his photos were face down on her piano. Mrs. Davis was devastated and I felt terrible having brought a childhood friend to her door. I will never forget Bobby and his supreme sacrifice. I am 75 now and I thank PFC Robert Davis for the memories and for standing tall for this great Nation.

Private First Class Robert Nelson Davis, Served with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.