DAVIS, ALBERT
Albert Davis at the train switch in Yaphank, circa 1917.
Photo from the collection of Christie Stilson
Albert Silas Davis
Albert Davis was born on September 9, 1895 at Southampton, New York. He was the son of John and Josephine Davis. Before enlisting in the service, Davis was working as a farm hand for David Jones of Yaphank. At the urging of his grandfather Albert, who served with the 133rd New York Infantry during the Civil War, Albert joined the Navy. To much hard marching in the Army is how his grandfather explained it to him. Davis enlisted at the Navy recruiting station at Brooklyn, New York on June 8, 1917. From June 8, 1917 to July 3, 1917 Davis was home in Yaphank awaiting orders. On July 3, 1917 he was sent to the Naval Training Center at Newport, Rhode Island. He stayed here for 5 days when he was transferred to the USS Southery where he was promoted to Seaman 2nd Class. Davis served on the Southery for two months and was then transferred to the USS Ohio on September 29, 1917. He served on the USS Ohio, where he was promoted to the rank of Seaman until November 11, 1918. Albert Davis was discharged from the Navy on January 29, 1919
Soon after the United States entered World War I, the USS Ohio was recommissioned on April 24, 1917. Throughout the war, she operated out of Norfolk, training crews for the expanding fleet, taking part in battleship maneuvers. She arrived at Philadelphia 28 November 1918; was placed in reserve there 7 January 1919; decommissioned 31 May 1922; and was sold for scrap March 24, 1923.