Middle Tennessee veteran, Joe B. Davis celebrated his birthday on Memorial Day weekend.
He didn't want to make a big fuss about it, but Friday, May 27, was Joe B. Davis' 97th birthday. Yet, what he did talk about was his service to our country. "Being up there on the front line at different times with a rifle and having those mortars come right by you oh mercy," said Davis.
Davis was drafted to serve in WWII on November 2, 1942 at just 23 years old. "I was on the invasion of Sicily, and I got hit in Sicily and got sent to the hospital," said Davis.
He recovered in six weeks and went right back to the front lines where he says he saw a lot. "We lost 405,000 men in WWII," Davis said.
That made him fight harder earning him several medals like the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
In addition to all of Davis' medals, he also had a bench with his name on it at Bicentennial mall. It was dedicated to him when the park opened back in 1996.
Davis has lived a long and active 97 years, and he said he would always remember the sacrifices that allow him to celebrate.
He said we all should, especially on Memorial Day. "I think they should be thinking about what it's like to live in a free country," Davis said.
