Herman Davis State Park
Overview
Herman Davis State Park in Manila, Arkansas, honors the memory of Private Herman Davis (1888-1923), one of America’s most decorated soldiers of World War I. This small memorial park — one of the smallest in the Arkansas State Parks system at less than one acre — serves as the burial site and monument for a man whom General John J. Pershing ranked as the fourth greatest hero of the entire war.
Located at the intersection of Baltimore Avenue and Arkansas Highway 18 in Manila, the park features a striking 25-foot granite obelisk and a bronze statue of Davis in his military uniform. The memorial was dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 1925, just two years after Davis’s death, and was officially designated an Arkansas state park in 1953.
The Hero: Private Herman Davis
Herman Davis was born in 1888 in Mississippi County, Arkansas, and grew up in the rural farming community near Manila. When the United States entered World War I, Davis enlisted and was assigned to Company I, 113th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division — known as the “Blue and Gray Division” for its composition of troops from both former Union and Confederate states.
Davis’s defining act of heroism occurred on October 10, 1918, during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive near Molleville Farm, France. When his platoon was pinned down by devastating machine gun fire, Davis crawled within 50 yards of the enemy position and single-handedly killed the four-man crew operating the gun, allowing his unit to advance. For this extraordinary bravery, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross — the second-highest military decoration for valor in the United States Army.
In addition to the Distinguished Service Cross, Davis received multiple French military honors, including the Croix de Guerre with Palm, the Croix de Guerre with Gilt Star, and the prestigious Medaille Militaire. General Pershing personally commended Davis and placed him fourth on his list of the 100 greatest American heroes of World War I.
The Memorial
The park’s centerpiece is a 25-foot granite obelisk flanked by a bronze statue depicting Davis in his World War I uniform. The memorial was funded through public donations and dedicated before a large crowd on Memorial Day 1925. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995, recognizing its significance as both a military memorial and a testament to small-town America’s contributions to the nation’s defense.
Visiting the Park
Herman Davis State Park is an open-air memorial site with no visitor center or developed facilities. Visitors can walk the grounds, read the interpretive markers, and pay their respects at the gravesite and monument. The park is particularly meaningful on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, when local organizations often hold commemorative ceremonies.
Location and Access
The park is located in Manila, Arkansas, in Mississippi County in the northeast corner of the state. Manila is accessible via Arkansas Highway 18 and is approximately 30 miles northwest of Blytheville and 20 miles northeast of Jonesboro. The nearest interstate access is via Interstate 555 from Jonesboro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an admission fee?
No, the park is free and open to the public year-round.
How long does a visit take?
A typical visit takes 15 to 30 minutes to explore the monument, read the interpretive materials, and reflect at the memorial.
Are there other attractions nearby?
Nearby points of interest include Hampson Archeological Museum State Park in Wilson (about 40 miles east), which preserves artifacts from a pre-Columbian Native American village, and Craighead Forest Park in Jonesboro.
Wildlife & Nature
Herman Davis SP — honors Herman Davis, a WWI hero from Manila, Arkansas — one of only 100 Allied soldiers personally cited by General Pershing for extraordinary valor. The park’s Delta forest and meadows support white-tailed deer and songbirds.
Nearby Attractions
Manila — adjacent. Mississippi County — surrounding. Big Lake NWR — 10 miles west.
Park Location
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