Background: The Maintenance Award is named in honor of Specialist 4 James Davis (US Army). Davis' unit had a difficult and dangerous job. The 3rd Radio Research Unit provided technical advice to South Vietnamese units on locating enemy signals, and provided valuable training and guidance on ways to get a "fix" on the insurgents' locations. But in Indochina, climate and terrain made the art of direction finding extremely tricky. Due to the mountainous landscape and the high levels of humidity in the area, it was difficult for them to conduct their work in a safe and secure location far from the battlefront.

Davis and the units he worked with had to "get in close" to be successful. On 22 December 1961, Davis received orders to lead a Vietnamese team to an area approximately 12 miles from the base in an effort to locate a Viet Cong guerilla force operating in the area. They would move by truck to the area, set up, and in concert with a similar team, and attempt to locate the enemy. Initially, the operation appeared to be routine; however, 10 miles outside the base, near a former French garrison at Cau Xang, the hunter became the hunted. The truck carrying the team hit a strategically-placed land mine and was forced off the road. The group immediately came under attack. Davis and his men fought bravely, but eventually succumbed to enemy fire. A patrolling South Vietnamese Civil Guard unit quickly responded to the area, but it was too late. Davis and nine members of his team lay dead.

Presentation Venue: The Spec 4 James Davis Maintenance Award is presented at the recipient’s unit or company by the local chapter President or representative and regional or “at large director”. If possible, the award should be presented prior to the AOC International Symposium, so that pictures of the presentation may be displayed during the Symposium.