Davis subsequently served in the Philippine–American War. In August 1899, he received a second Silver Star and promotion to brevet Captain for heroism while fighting Filipino insurgents. He remained in the Philippines until 1904, when he was assigned to West Point as a professor in the Department of Tactics.[1]
Davis served again with the 17th Infantry, and then served again in the Philippines as a member of the 8th Infantry Regiment. For most of 1915, Davis was detailed as Inspector of the Philippine Scouts, and received promotion to Major.
World War I
General John J. Pershing and members of his General Headquarters (GHQ) staff, France, 1918. Stood in the back row on the far right is Brigadier General Robert C. Davis.
At the start of World War I Davis was assigned to the staff of the army's Adjutant General. In mid-1917 he went to France as Assistant to the Adjutant General of the American Expeditionary Forces. He later served as acting adjutant general and then adjutant general of the A.E.F., receiving a temporary promotion to brigadier general.
Post-World War I
General of the Armies John J. Pershing and members of his staff standing outside the State, War, and Navy Building in Washington, D.C., September 23, 1919. Stood two from Pershing in the front row is Brigadier General Robert C. Davis.
Following World War I Davis was assigned to the staff of the Army's Adjutant General, and participated on a board which reviewed War Department staff activities and made recommendations for personnel reorganization and improvements to processes and procedures.
From 1922 to 1927, Davis served as Adjutant General of the Army, receiving promotion to major general. His most notable accomplishment in this position was the organization and execution of a plan to pay bonuses to veterans of World War I.
Post-military career
After retiring from the Army, Davis was President of Photomaton, Inc., a company which produced automatic camera photo booths.[1] He was also executive director of the New York Chapter of the American Red Cross,[1] and served as President of the West Point Association of Graduates.
Death and burial
Davis died in Elmsford, New York on September 2, 1944[1] after suffering a heart attack while golfing at the Knollwood Country Club. He and his wife Ruby Hale are buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[2]
Awards
In addition to his two Silver Stars, Davis received the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his World War I service.[3] The medal's citation states the following:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Robert Courtney Davis, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Adjutant General of the American Expeditionary Forces, General Davis had performed his exacting duties with high professional skill and administrative ability. The exceptional efficiency of the Adjutant General's Department under his direction was a material factor in the success of the Staff work at General Headquarters.[3]
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