SSS member Wayne E. Davis headed west March 5, 2016. Wayne was the 353 TFS Squadron Commander (A7-D) at Myrtle Beach AFB, and later served at Moody AFB, in command positions. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday March 12, 2016 in Myrtle Beach, SC., (See details below).
Full Obituary…courtesy of Wayne’s family
Col. Davis was born in Seattle, Washington on December 8, 1931, to the late John B. and Alma H. Davis. A graduate of the University of Washington in 1954, The Colonel entered USAF pilot training on March 24, 1955 at Moore Field in Mission, TX. Col. Davis was a command fighter pilot and served his country with honor and distinction, for exactly 30 years and one week, March 24, 1955 to March 31, 1985. Colonel Davis fulfilled assignments all over the world, including Itazuke AFB, Japan (where his son Col. Rick Davis was born) and Cigli AFB, Turkey (where his son Brad was born) as well as three combat tours in Vietnam, one in the F-100 Super Sabre and two in the A-7D Corsair. His career culminated in assignments to Myrtle Beach AFB where he commanded the 353rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Valdosta, GA. where he was the 347th Combat Support Group Commander, and Myrtle Beach Air Force Base where he was the 354th Commander for Resource Management and where he retired in 1985.
Among his many decorations, medals and campaign ribbons are the Distinguished Flying Cross; The Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster; The Meritorious Service Medal; The Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters; The Army Commendation Medal; The Distinguished-Presidential Unit Citation; The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and 6 oak leaf clusters; The Combat Readiness Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters; The National Defense Service Medal; The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; The Vietnam Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters; The Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 6 oak leaf clusters; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. Foreign Decorations include The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with one oak leaf cluster; The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Col. Davis was a command pilot with over 4,500 hours of flight time, including 350+ combat hours in both the F-100 and the A-7D. He was a member of The Order of Daedalians, The USAF Super Sabre Society and the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association. Col. Davis proudly passed the fighter pilot torch on to his son Col. (Ret) Ricky A. Davis on June 6, 1983 as he pinned his son’s wings on. On January 22, 2016 (a short six weeks ago), he then proudly passed his legacy on to the third generation of fighter pilots, as he was able to pin the wings onto his grandson, Lt. Brian Davis (Rick’s Son).
Col. Davis was preceded in death by his parents, John and Alma; Mother and Father In-law, Ernest and Fern Horsman; baby daughter Cinthia. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 64 years, Eldora (Dorie); one Daughter, Deanna (Ron) Dendy; five Sons, John (Cathy) in Rock Hill, SC; Mike (Terri); Rick (Stephanie); Brad (Tammie) all of Myrtle Beach, SC; and Gerald Mitchell of Suwanee, GA. Sixteen Grandchildren, Dale (Kelsie); Sean (Skye); Chris Davis; Kaylee Frazier; Amber (Joel) Smith; April (Scott) Doane and John (Morgan) Dendy; Jillian (Joey) Ray: Lt. Brian Davis; Chase Davis; Bradley Davis II; Peter Davis; Mikayla Davis; B.J. Mitchell; Sydney Mitchell; Liam Mitchell. Seven Great Grandchildren, Jax Teal; Russ Lambert; Scarlett Hayden Smith; Tripp Davis; Ryder Davis; Kai Davis; Walker Grace Dendy as well as two Great Grand Daughters on the way. Norway family; The late Roar Hogner; Anne-Brit Hogner; Trond (Svanhild) Hogner; Grand Children Daniel and Charlotte Hogner; Leif (Janne) Hogner; Grand Children Maria, Martin and Thomas Hogner. Lifelong best friends, Bob and Arlene Morrison of Seattle, Washington.
The Colonel was the ROCK of the family you see above. He served his wife (our Mother), Dorie, All of his Children , Grand Children, Great Grand Children, friends and last but certainly not least, his Country, with a steadfast determination and guidance that is truly deserving of the title “Hero”. A stern yet gentle hand, a firm yet calm voice. He was highly principled and had an unwavering purpose for us all to know and understand the difference between Right and Wrong. Everyone that was fortunate enough to have known him, or even those that were lucky enough to have met him just once, will forever remember him as a wonderful role model, a leader and a truly great man. We miss you Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa………You will forever live in our hearts and in our minds…….We LOVE YOU!
A memorial Service will be held honoring Col. Davis on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 2:00 PM, at Palmetto Shores Church, 6250 Dick Pond Rd., Myrtle Beach, SC. 29588. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Daedalian Foundation, PO Box 249, Randolph Air Force Base, TX 78148.