IN REMEMBRANCE OF A FINE YOUNG NAVAL PILOT WHOSE NAME SHALL LIVE FOREVER MORE
Posted for: DONALD VANCE DAVIS:
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER
DONALD VANCE DAVIS
LEFT THE USS ORISKANY ON 7-25-1967
FLYING AN A4E AIRCRAFT
ON AN ARMED RECONAISSANCE MISSION OVER NORTH VIETNAM.

LATER IN THE FLIGHT HIS WINGMAN OBSERVED DAVIS' AIRCRAFT CRASH AS IT WAS ATTACKING A TRUCK CONVOY AND REPORTED THERE WAS NO CHANCE FOR SURVIVAL SO NO SEARCH AND RESCUE WAS INITIATED.

IN 1988 AND 1996, A JOINT U.S./SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM TEAM VISITED THE PROBABLE LOCATION OF LCDR DAVIS' CRASHSITE AND INTERVIEWED LOCAL VILLAGERS FOR INFORMATION ON THIS LOSS INCIDENT. WITNESSES REPORTED FINDING A CRASHSITE AND BURYING THE REMAINS OF A PILOT FOUND WITHIN THE WRECKAGE. ANALYSIS OF THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE DETERMINED IT TO BE AN A-4 AIRCRAFT.

IN 1997, A JOINT U.S./VIETNAMESE TEAM EXCAVATED A POSSIBLE BURIAL SITE IDENTIFIED BY THE VILLAGERS. THE TEAM RECOVERED HUMAN REMAINS, LIFE SUPPORT EQUIPMENT, AND AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE.

AS OF 5-12-1998 THE PRESUMED REMAINS OF CDR. DAVIS HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AND ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE TO HAVE THEM RETURNED TO HIS FAMILY FOR BURIAL IN THE UNITED STATES.

AN MIA REPATRIATION CEREMONY AT TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE WAS HELD ON THE FLIGHTLINE ON THURSDAY 5-14-1998 WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS.
Posted by: CLAY MARSTON
Email: cmarston@interlog.com
Relationship: BIOGRAPHICAL RESEARCHER
Wednesday, April 28, 1999
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