When Joseph Carlton Davis was born on January 14, 1894, in Rhode Island, his father, Joseph, was 21 and his mother, Clara, was 18. He had one sister. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I as a First Lieutenant in the 103rd Field Artillery Regiment, 26th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action on July 30, 1918 in France at the age of 24 but his current burial place is unknown. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 103d Field Artillery, 26th Division, A.E.F., near Beaumont, France, 26 April 1918. Lieutenant Davis kept his battery in action during a heavy destructive enemy bombardment which lasted for several hours. Although almost half of his detachment were killed or wounded and three of his guns put out of action, he personally directed the fire of his remaining gun. Later, while assisting a wounded officer to safety through a shell-swept area, a shell exploded near them, killing the wounded officer and knocking Lieutenant Davis to the ground. His work throughout the engagement was an inspiration to his men. His name is commemorated on the tablet inside a church in Belleau, France and ranked as a Captain.