Donald C. Davis

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Donald C. Davis
U.S. Pacific Fleet
Battles/warsWorld War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Children1
RelationsElaine Margaret Davis (wife)

Donald Cooke Davis (January 24, 1921 – July 30, 1998) was a

U.S. Pacific Fleet
from 1978 to 1981.

Early life and education

Donald Cooke Davis was born on January 24, 1921, in

Marine Engineering and was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. In 1960, Davis entered the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. While at Newport, he completed the Senior Course in Naval Warfare.[1]

Career highlights

During World War II, Davis served aboard the

Pacific Theater, which participated in nine major campaigns. He qualified as a Naval Aviator in May 1946 and then served in several carrier-based fighter squadrons, including VF-51, the Navy's first operational jet squadron.[1]

At the start of the

Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployments aboard the USS Midway and the USS Bon Homme Richard.[1]

After his WESTPAC tours, Davis reported for duty in

Undersecretary of the Navy
.

In February 1962, he became Commander of Carrier Air Group Five. While serving as Air Group Commander, he made a South American transit cruise aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation.

During the years 1964–66, Davis served as the Senior Navy Project Officer for the F-111 (TFX) aircraft in the

F-111. He also received the Legion of Merit in the development of the aircraft.[1]

On 3 June 1966, Davis assumed command of the USS Montrose (APA-212) which recently participated in numerous amphibious operations off the coast of Vietnam. He then commanded the USS Kitty Hawk from 28 August 1967 to 30 September 1968.

In 1969–70,

Rear Admiral Davis was Commander, Task Force 130, the Pacific Recovery Forces for the Manned Spacecraft Missions Apollo 11 and Apollo 13.[1]

In 1974 Rear Admiral "Red Dog" Davis was Commander of Task Force 77 in the US Pacific Fleet.

Davis was a recipient of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for service as the Director, Navy Program Planning, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations from May 1975 to February 1978.[2]

Subsequently, promoted to

U.S. Pacific Fleet from 1978 to 1981,[1]
retiring on 1 August 1981.

Role in Apollo 11 success

In November 2016,

U.S. Navy
flew an aircraft over the original site during the landing, and found a major storm which would have been disastrous for Apollo 11.

After the Navy

Davis and his wife, the former Elaine Mcauvic, of

La Jolla, California. He was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.[5][6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Donald Cooke Davis, MilitaryHallOf Honor.com, accessed 15 November 2016
  2. ^ Hall of Valor - Donald C. Davis, accessed 15 November 2016
  3. ABC News Online
    , 15 November 2016
  4. Navy Postgraduate School
    , "Domain" Fall 2004, accessed 15 November 2016
  5. ^ Anonymous. "Admiral Donald Cooke Davis - Brookfield, MO". Linn County Leader. Retrieved 2012-03-09.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "ProQuest Archiver: Titles". [dead link]
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