Macon to renew Vietnam War hero Sgt. Rodney Davis tribute ahead of Memorial Day

Ahead of Memorial Day, Macon-Bibb County will rededicate the Sgt. Rodney M. Davis Medal of Honor Monument on Thursday, spotlighting the Macon native who sacrificed his life to save fellow Marines during the Vietnam War.

The ceremony, which county leaders said will recognize Davis’ “legacy and heroism” is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at Rosa Parks Square in downtown Macon. The event also follows recent renovations and improvements to the downtown park.

Poplar Street between First and New Streets will be closed from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

“We are proud to honor Sgt. Rodney Davis and make sure his story continues to be remembered for generations to come,” Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller said in a news release Wednesday.

“As we approach Memorial Day, this rededication serves as a reminder of the incredible sacrifice he made for his fellow Marines and for our country,” Miller added. “The improvements at Rosa Parks Square give us another opportunity to reflect on his legacy and ensure this monument remains a place of honor and remembrance for our community.”

Davis was a Macon native who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor — the nation’s highest military honor — for his extraordinary bravery during combat on Sept. 6, 1967, the date of his death.

“According to military records, Davis threw himself onto an enemy grenade to protect fellow Marines, sacrificing his own life to save others,” the news release said.

He was 25, with a wife and two young children, as previously reported by The Telegraph.

The monument was originally dedicated in 1986 by the Northeast High School JROTC and has served as a lasting tribute to Davis’ courage, service and sacrifice for nearly four decades, the news release said.