General John Kerry Davis Laid to Rest at Arlington National Cemetery

Photo By Cpl. Tanner Lambert | Body Bearers with Bravo Company, Marine Barracks Washington, fold a flag during a full honors funeral for Gen. John K. Davis at Arlington National Cemetery, May 6, 2021. General Davis, who served as the 20th Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, was born March 14, 1927 and died on July 31, 2019. General Davis was a highly accomplished aviator, flying more than 30 different aircraft throughout his distinguished career. He flew 171 combat missions during the Vietnam War, totaling more than 285 combat hours. He assumed the position as the 20th Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps on July 1, 1983 and served in this role until his retirement on June 1, 1986. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tanner D. Lambert)  

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

05.11.2021

Story by TRACEY CAMPBELL 

Communication Directorate             

ARLINGTON, Va. -- General John Kerry Davis, 92, highly decorated combat aviator and former assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, was laid to rest May 6, at Arlington National Cemetery. Davis passed away Jul. 31 2019, in San Clemente, California.
“General Davis set the highest standard for the aviators and leaders who came behind him,” said 35th assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Gary L. Thomas. “His contributions to Marine Aviation and the Marine Corps as a whole, both in uniform and after his retirement, live on in our Marines today.”
General Davis is notably recognized for his 285 combat flight hours and 171 combat missions while serving in the Republic of Vietnam. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with Combat “V”, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal with the Numeral 10.
General Davis was born Mar. 11, 1927, in Hagon, New Mexico. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1945. Following the transition to inactive duty, Davis graduated from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies in June 1950 and was commissioned as a Marine second lieutenant.
In March 1951, after completing instruction at The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia, in March 1951, he was assigned as a platoon commander, 3d Amphibious Training Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California. He was promoted to first lieutenant in June 1952, and the following October he began flight training at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. He was promoted to captain in December 1953, and designated a Naval Aviator in June 1954.
General Davis served as a training officer with Marine Night Fighter Squadron 542, Marine Aircraft Group 15, El Toro, California. He remained in that billet until December 1954, when he was transferred to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, serving in Korea and Japan, as the S-4 Officer, and later, as the S-1 Officer, Marine All-Weather Fighter Squadron 513, Marine Aircraft Group 12.
In May 1956, Davis served as operations officer, Marine Air Control Squadron 4, Marine Wing Headquarters Group, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, at El Toro. He was later reassigned and served consecutively as the aviation safety officer in Marine Attack Squadron 121, Marine Aircraft Group 15, and Marine Attack Squadron 311.
In July 1959, Davis was transferred to the Naval Air Station, Beeville, Texas, as S-3 Officer, Training Squadron 26. He was promoted to major in February 1961, and in July 1962, attended the Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. He completed the course in June 1963, and was ordered to Iwakuni, Japan, serving concurrently as S-3 officer, Marine Wing Headquarters Group 1, and as Officer-in-Charge, Tactical Air Control Center, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. In 1963, Davis completed a Master of Public Administration degree from George Washington University.
From September 1964 to August 1967, he served as a staff officer in the Air Branch, Joint Exercise Planning Division, Headquarters, Allied Forces, Northern Europe, Oslo, Norway. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in January 1966.
In September 1967, he served consecutively as executive officer, Marine Aircraft Group 14; commanding officer, Marine All-Weather Attack Squadron 224; and commanding officer, Marine All-Weather Attack Training Squadron 202, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, North Carolina. He attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington, D.C., from August 1968 to June 1969, when he was ordered to the Republic of Vietnam as the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing aviation safety officer, and later, as the executive officer of Marine Aircraft Group 11.
He was promoted to colonel in August 1970 and served as executive Officer, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (Air), Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. He remained in that billet until June 1973, when he transferred to El Toro as commanding officer, Marine Aircraft Group 46/Marine Air Reserve Training Detachment. He became Assistant Wing Commander, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, El Toro, following his advancement to brigadier general on Jul. 1, 1975 and assigned duty as commander, Marine Corps Air Bases, Western Area/commanding general, Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, in June 1976. During this tour, he was advanced to major general on Feb. 17, 1977 and assigned duty as commanding general, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS, El Toro.
From Jul. 6, 1977 to Aug. 8, 1977 he was assigned additional duty as commanding general, 1st Marine Amphibious Force, Camp Pendleton, California. On Feb. 15, 1978, he was assigned duty as the commanding general, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Camp Butler, Okinawa. He was assigned duty as the director of operations, J-3, Pacific Command, Camp Smith, Hawaii on Jun. 16, 1979. General Davis was assigned duty as the commanding general, Fleet Marine Forces Pacific, Camp Smith, Hawaii on Jun. 30, 1981, and was promoted to lieutenant general on Jul. 1, 1981. Upon promotion to general, General Davis assumed the role as assistant commandant of the Marine Corps on Jul. 1, 1983 and served in this role until 1986.
General Davis was preceded in death by Jane, his wife of 65 years, and survived by two sisters, Sue Jimerson and Nancy Davis, his daughters, son-in-law, and five grandchildren.

• Date Taken: 05.11.2021
• Date Posted: 05.11.2021 14:50
• Story ID: 396135
• Location: ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US