Lyal A. Davidson


Lyal Ament Davidson was a Vice admiral of the United States Navy who served in World War I and World War II. He was a two time recipient of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. He was also the namesake of.

Biography

Lyal Ament Davidson was born 2 December 1886 in Muscatine, Iowa to Colonel Joseph T. Davidson and Judith Davidson. After attending Muscatine High School, he was appointed a Midshipman in 1906. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1910 and was commissioned as an Ensign in 1912, after two years at sea.
Assigned to, Davidson received a commendation for service while on the landing force during the Battle of Vera Cruz in 1914.
During World War II, Davidson took command of Cruiser Division 8 using as his flagship. He received one Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his leadership during the November 1942 invasion of North Africa, in Morocco.
He received a Legion of Merit for command of a task force during the invasion of Italy in 1943.
He received a second Navy Distinguished Service Medal for command of Task Force 86, aboard, during the 1944 invasion of Southern France.
He received a second Legion of Merit for his meritorious service in World War II.
After October 1944, he served in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations and then the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee. He retired as a Vice Admiral in June 1946 and lived in Washington DC. Davidson died after a lengthy illness at Bethesda Naval Hospital on 29 December 1950. He was survived by his wife and three children. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on 4 January 1951, section 2, grave 4695-A. His wife Carolyn was buried there as well, after her death in 1980.

Awards and honors