Downtown in Little Rock in Pulaski County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

In Memory of Herman Davis

of Mississippi County Arkansas

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 16, 2015

1. In Memory of Herman Davis Marker

Inscription. Co. I 113th Infantry American Expeditionary Force. Fourth on Gen. John J. Pershing's list of one hundred heroes of World War I. Cited for extraordinary heroism in action and awarded U.S. Distinguished Service Cross, French Croix De Guerre, Gilt Star for Croix de Guerre, and Medaille Militaire. As company runner, Oct. 10th, 1918, at Molleville Farm, France, he attacked and destroyed single-handed a machine gun position which was subjecting his platoon to murderous fire. Proclaimed Arkansas' most distinguished son in action by legislative resolution, Jan. 23, 1923. The Herman Davis Memorial Fountain, a restoration of the Old State House Fountain, was constructed under the auspices of the Herman Davis Memorial Association.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 10, 1918.

Location. 34° 44.938′ N, 92° 16.336′ W. Memorial is in Little Rock, Arkansas, in Pulaski County. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from the intersection of West Markham Street and Ashley Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is embedded in the courtyard plaza on the east side of the Old State

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House Museum. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 300 West Markham Street, Little Rock AR 72201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in the Quapaw Homeland.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Old State House (here, next to this marker); A Tribute to Gen. Wm. Read Scurry (here, next to this marker); War of 1812 Memorial (a few steps from this marker); 150th Anniversary of the War Between the States (a few steps from this marker); Mexican-American War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Civil War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Spanish-American War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Gen. James Miller (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Little Rock.

Another marker is no longer nearby. David Owen Dodd Memorial (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Herman Davis, Sharpshooter and Company Runner

Also see . . .
1. Herman Davis (1888–1923). Davis was credited for killing fifteen enemy gunners in a machine gun nest and eleven enemy soldiers climbing out of a dugout. Another time, a group of enemy soldiers were trying to set up a machine gun in an area they thought

Old State House Memorial Courtyard (<i>east side of building</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 16, 2015

2. Old State House Memorial Courtyard (east side of building)

(marker visible beside Old State House east-side steps)

was out of range of American troops. Davis shot and killed five of the enemy soldiers. He reportedly stated that 1,000 yards was “just good shootin’ distance.” Davis was honorably discharged from the Army on May 29, 1919. (Submitted on October 8, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Herman Davis State Park. This historic site preserves Davis’ final resting place. Herman Davis grew up hunting near Manila and became a scout and sharpshooter. He was on General John J. Pershing’s list of WWI’s 100 great heroic stories. (Submitted on October 8, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Herman Davis Memorial Fountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 16, 2015

3. Herman Davis Memorial Fountain

In 1954, the iron fountain near the entrance to the Old State House in Little Rock was renamed the Herman Davis Memorial Fountain, and a plaque was added in his honor. The fountain had been a part of Arkansas’s exhibit at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 493 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 8, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.