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American Campaign
Front & Back

Victory, World War II
Front & Back

Hyman Davis was born May 26, 1911, Denver, Colorado, to Max and Esther Davis, where he grew up. Hyman had two brothers, Ben and Morris. Hyman married Sarah 'Sue' Goldberg, which Hyman had known since he was 13. They had two children, Mort and Ellen Ann. About 1937 Hyman, with a small loan from his father, opened his own business known as Davis Furniture and Cabinet Works.

Hyman was drafted into the service in 1943, went to boot camp and then straight to the USS Hazelwood DD-531. Hyman was 32 years of age when he entered the Navy. He was the second oldest person aboard the Hazelwood; Norris Gagnon was the oldest on the ship.

Hyman served about 2 years on the Hazelwood and was discharged due to back injuries from the Kamikaze attack on the ship. Hyman Davis was a F1/C (fireman first class) and worked in the 5-inch gun mount as a handler.

About two weeks before the attack from the Kamikaze, Hyman was moved from the front of the ship to the back. Hyman was very upset with this move and did complain about it, although if he had stayed at the front he would have been killed in action. The plane hit the gun station in which he worked killing all his mates. Hyman would play the harmonica for the crew to help pass time.

Of the 10 battle stars that the Hazelwood received for W.W.II services, Hyman received 5 battle stars, two of which were for the battle at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Hyman Davis returned to Denver and re-opened his shop. On June 16, 1965 the Platte River left its bank with almost 12 feet of water doing severe damage to his shop. Shortly thereafter Davis Furniture ceased to exist.

Hyman Davis died on November 26, 1972 at the age of 62.

Submitted by:
Hyman's grandson Brad Davis.