"Wars

may cease, but the need for heroism shall not depart from

this earth, while man remains man and evil exists to be

redressed." - Rear Admiral A. T. Mahan, 1897

Fighting in

wars has ceased now for retired Marine Gen. Raymond G.

Davis, but at age 85 his status as a true American hero,

and the spirit that earned him that status, is still as

vital as when he earned the Medal of Honor in Korea.

The general

will be the guest of honor and featured speaker at

Peachtree City's second annual Memorial Day celebration

May 29 at City Hall Plaza.

Most people

are not brave or heroic by nature. In the words of

Niccolo Machiavelli writing in "The Art of War"

in 1520, "Few men are brave by nature, but good

order and experience may make many so."

Davis is

one of those rare individuals who appear to not only have

a naturally heroic spirit, but who also gain the

"good order and experience" to turn theory into

history, according to ceremony organizers.

The

Fitzgerald, Ga., native's record speaks for itself. He

served with distinction in three wars: WWII, Korea and

Vietnam. He earned the country's highest award for

heroism, the Medal of Honor, in Korea. This alone places

him in a select group of men who have proven their

mettle.

But he

rises above even that level to an Olympus of hero icons.

In World War II, he earned the Navy Cross for heroic

actions above and beyond the call of duty. In Vietnam he

earned the Distinguished Service Medal and several

personal decorations from the Vietnamese government. He

also has earned the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medals,

and the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in combat.

But beyond

the cited valor and accomplishments, there is the man,

the leader.

"Never

a shouter, never profane, never a grandstander, Ray Davis

expressed his thoughts with gentlemanly precision and

razor-sharp logic," said retired Marine Maj. Gen.

Carl Hoffman, who served under Davis' command as an

immediate subordinate in peace and in combat. "He

never closed his mind on a topic, ever remaining willing

to reopen the dialogue or reconsider a

decision." Hoffman's description of Davis'

leadership style appeared in a 1995 biography about

Davis, written by Bill Davis (no relation).

Hoffman

goes on to say that Davis' leadership style was to

"suggest" that his subordinates do this or

that. "We all soon realized that his `suggestions'

were not idle chit-chat," recalled Hoffman. "He

fully expected, unless his subordinates exercised their

opportunity to discuss the matter, that action would

result - quickly."

Yet another

facet to this many-faceted man is the devoted husband and

father of two boys and a girl.

When

speaking of his wife, Knox, in his biography, he speaks

in only superlative terms, and says that she is the

favorite subject of his life.

"She

has the highest standards," he says... "church,

family, unity, social graces, work ethic - you name

it. Knox is a varsity player in my life. Marriage to this

remarkable woman is still ongoing after 50 years. She

wrote every day (and got replies) to make me a part of

the family during three wars plus unaccompanied tours

which lasted ten years."

Their

oldest son, Gilbert, who was born during WWII, said,

"Mom was tough. When things got tough, Mom got

tougher!" He further explains that his mother was

raised in the foothills of North Carolina by a family

whose motto was: "Never let `em see you hurt."

In one

letter from Korea to his family in December 1950, he

wrote, "Cold as everything last night - the

bright sun is just now warming me up some. No mail

recently - maybe we'll catch up with the mail man in

a day or two. I am still awaiting those letters about the

baby (daughter Willa Kay, who was born while he was in

Korea)... I do adore you all - am so terribly lonely

without you."

When he

retired as a four-star general in March 1972, Davis was

the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, the second

highest post in the Corps. Within four hours of his

retirement ceremony March 31 in Washington D.C., he was

at work in his new office in downtown Atlanta, beginning

to learn his duties as the executive vice president of

the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

"From

the second Distinguished Service Medal for service as

assistant commandant of the Marine Corps to the

unmedalled left breast of a new civilian suit, I was

immediately at home in this new environment," said

the general in his biography.

Speaking of

the effort to get his new job, he recalls that it wasn't

all that easy. The chamber president then, H.G.

"Pat" Pattillo, was not keen on the idea of

hiring a retired general for the position.

"He

told me that he was very much opposed to it, and at first

refused any suggestions that he see me," said the

general. But he persisted and got an interview.

Impressed, Pattillo later said it was obvious to him that

this man was quality.

May 29,

Davis will speak here about the meaning of Memorial Day.

He will focus on the theme of this year's celebration,

"Freedom is Never Free."

Residents

in and around Peachtree City are invited. For

information, phone the Recreation Department at

770-631-2542.