Captain James ‘J.D.’ Davis, a U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran
By Linda Gorman
Guest Writer
On Friday, May 12 with his many friends and fellow VFW members present, it was an honor for the Misty Mountain Quilts of Valor Outreach members Diana Banakas, and Linda and Jim Gorman to award a Quilt of Valor to Captain James “J.D.” Davis, a U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran. Davis was awarded his quilt in a ceremony at the Allison-Bristol VFW Post 6812 Hayesville during the monthly meeting.
Davis enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Feb. 20, 1957. Following boot camp at Naval Station Bainbridge, Md. he received orders to the U.S. Naval Academy. Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1962, he entered the U.S. Naval Flight Training program in Pensacola, Fla. and received his “Wings of Gold” in 1964. Upon completion of flight training, Davis received orders to Fighter Squadron 191, on the USS Ticonderoga, CVA-14. Davis completed two combat cruises on board the Ticonderoga, flying a total of 200 combat missions over North Vietnam. Upon returning to friendly skies, he received orders to the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Team, “The Blue Angels” and remained with the team, flying the McDonald Douglas F-4 phantom from 1970 through 1971. Captain Davis’ next orders returned him to the Vietnam hostilities with VF-142 on the USS Enterprise, CVN-59. From the flight deck of the Enterprise, Davis flew 101 combat missions and logged his final flight on Feb. 18, 1973, a date that concluded all aerial hostile action over Vietnam, completing a total of 301 combat missions.
Davis was honorably discharged in 1986.
Medals and Awards include: 13 Air Medals, three Bronze Stars, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Strike Flight Air Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the Navy Unit Commendation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Quilts of Valor are presented to those veterans who have been touched by war. The Quilts of Valor Foundation is a national organization founded by Blue Star mother Catherine Roberts in 2003 and to date has awarded more than 345,635 quilts to military heroes. Information about Quilts of Valor may be found at: www.qovf.org. You can nominate a veteran for a Quilt of Valor by going to the website, select Nomination and Awards, Select On-Line Nomination form, fill out the request and submit. The patriotic quilt presented to Davis, represents a thank you to him for what he has done to defend and protect our nation. Each Quilt of Valor is unique, just as each recipient and his or her story is unique. Each is stitched with love and thoughts of the honor and respect that our veterans deserve. Each Quilt of Valor awarded is registered with the National Archives.