Lyal Ament Davidson was born 2 December 1886 in Muscatine, Iowa to Colonel Joseph T. Davidson (US Army) and Judith (Ament) Davidson. After attending Muscatine High School, he was appointed a Midshipman in 1906. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1910 and was commissioned as an Ensign in 1912, after two years at sea.[1]
He received a second Legion of Merit for his meritorious service in World War II.[5]
After October 1944, he served in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations and then the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee. He retired as a Vice Admiral in June 1946 and lived in Washington DC. Davidson died after a lengthy illness at Bethesda Naval Hospital on 29 December 1950. He was survived by his wife and three children.[1] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on 4 January 1951, section 2, grave 4695-A. His wife Carolyn was buried there as well, after her death in 1980.[7]
^ abcdefg"Commission New Destroyer Escort Tuesday Named for Muscatine Native". Muscatine, Iowa Journal. 6 December 1965. p. 2.
^"Honorable Mention of Ensign Davidson". Muscatine Journal. 8 June 1914. p. 5. Ensign Davidson is one of six in the third regiment to be given honorable mention for having assisted wounded under fire.
^Fletcher, F. F. (13 June 1914). "Naval Gallantry at Vera Cruz". Army-Navy-Air Force Register and Defense Times. 55: 744. … the commander of the third regiment in his report mentions the following officers for assisting wounded while under fire: … L. A. Davidson, U.S. Navy
