Austin R. Davis – Captain, United States Marine Corps

A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he was appointed Second Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps on July 1, 1894. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on June 2, 1898 and to Captain on March 3, 1899.

He was killed-in-action in Peking, China, on July 13, 1900, while serving with the Allied Legation during the Boxer Rebellion in that country.

His momument in Section 1 of Arlington National Cemetery was “erected by Officers of the United States Marine Corps.”


In regard to the killing of Capt. L.A.R. Davis, U.S.M.C., Colonel Meade says:

“I regret to report the death of Capt. A.R. Davis, who was killed at my side in the advanced trench. He was killed almost instantly. I had his body brought in with the wounded, and he is buried here in Tientsin, his grave being marked. This was all I could do.


The following day, June 22, British, Russian, German, Italian, and Japanese reenforcements arrived, making a combined force of about 2,000 men. The foreign city of Tientsin was entered and the siege raised. On Sunday morning, June 25, an advance was made to the relief of Admiral Seymour’s command, who were intrenched at a point about 8 miles from Tientsin. This movement was accomplished with little opposition, and early on the morning of July 14 the walled city of Tientsin was captured by the allied forces.

“In this action, in which 22 officers and 326 men, under Col. R.L. Meade,  participated, Capt. A.R. Davis, U.S. Marine Corps, was killed at the side of his commanding officer in the advanced trench;  Capts. William B. Lemly and Charles G. Long, First Lieuts. Smedley D. Butler and Henry Leonard were wounded; a sergeant, a corporal, and 2 enlisted men were killed, and a sergeant, 2 corporals, and 12 enlisted men were wounded.

“To record the instances of gallantry displayed by our officers and men at the capture of Tientsin would almost be equivalent to a publication of the entire roster.”

DAVIS, AUSTIN R

  • CAPT USMC
  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown
  • DATE OF DEATH: 07/13/1900
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: Unknown
  • BURIED AT:   SITE LOT 38C
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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