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James B. Davis (general)
Encyclopedia
General James Burr Davis (born November 14, 1935) was a U.S. Air Force general and was chief of staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
in Mons, Belgium.
, in 1935, where he attended Wayne City High School and Wayne State Teachers College. He earned a bachelor's degree in military science from the U.S. Naval Academy
in 1958 and a master's degree in public administration from Auburn University
in 1976. He completed Armed Forces Staff College in 1971 and Air War College
as a distinguished graduate in 1976.
pilot with the 4050th Air Refueling Wing, Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts. In December 1964 he was assigned to Headquarters 8th Air Force, Westover. In July 1966 he moved to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., as an action officer in the Special Actions Branch. He transferred in June 1967 to George Air Force Base
, California for F-4 Phantom II
replacement training.
, Thailand, serving as a combat pilot and assistant operations officer. By September 1968 he had flown 100 combat missions over North Vietnam
. In October 1968 he was selected as aide to the commander in chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Lindsey Air Station, West Germany. Three months later, when the commander in chief was assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium, General Davis also moved and became the aide to the chief of staff there.
, Texas. During this tour of duty, he served as chief, Special Category Manning Section, then deputy chief and, later, chief of the Rated Career Management Branch. In June 1976 he graduated from the Air War College and was assigned to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base
, Utah, first as assistant deputy commander for operations, then as deputy commander for operations and, later, as vice commander.
, Nevada. General Davis then transferred to Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, and served as Tactical Air Command
's deputy chief of staff for personnel. In September 1982 he was assigned as director of personnel programs in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Personnel, Air Force headquarters. The general became assistant deputy chief of staff for military personnel, Air Force headquarters, and commander, Air Force Military Personnel Center, in September 1984. He then served as deputy chief of staff for operations and intelligence, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base
, Hawaii, from August 1986 until August 1987, when he became vice commander in chief, Pacific Air Forces. From January 1988 until July 1991 he was commander of U.S. Forces Japan, and 5th Air Force, Yokota Air Base
, Japan. Additionally, from November 5, 1990, until February 18, 1991, General Davis concurrently served as commander, Pacific Air Forces. He assumed final position in July 1991.
, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
, Legion of Merit
with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross
with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal
, Air Medal
with 10 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Presidential Unit Citation
, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device and two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal
with two service stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
, Vietnam Service Medal with silver service star, Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short, Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Long, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with eight oak leaf clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He also has received the Order of National Security Merit, Gouges Medal - South Korea, Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure
- Japan, and Award of Knight Grand Cross with Sash - Thailand. Additionally, he has been inducted into the Order of the Sword
, which is the highest honor noncommissioned officers can bestow.
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe is the central command of NATO military forces. It is located at Casteau, north of the Belgian city of Mons...
in Mons, Belgium.
Early life and qualifications
General Davis was born in Wayne, NebraskaWayne, Nebraska
Wayne is a city in Wayne County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 5,660 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Wayne County and the home of Wayne State College.-Geography:Wayne is located at ....
, in 1935, where he attended Wayne City High School and Wayne State Teachers College. He earned a bachelor's degree in military science from the U.S. Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1958 and a master's degree in public administration from Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
in 1976. He completed Armed Forces Staff College in 1971 and Air War College
Air War College
The Air War College is a part of the United States Air Force's Air University, headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Air University's higher headquarters is Air Education and Training Command headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The Air War...
as a distinguished graduate in 1976.
Early flight experience
The general completed pilot training at Bartow Air Force Base, Florida, and Greenville Air Force Base, Mississippi. After receiving wings in 1959, he was assigned as a KC-97 StratotankerKC-97 Stratotanker
The Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker was a United States strategic tanker aircraft based on the Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter. It was succeeded by the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker.-Design and development:...
pilot with the 4050th Air Refueling Wing, Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts. In December 1964 he was assigned to Headquarters 8th Air Force, Westover. In July 1966 he moved to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., as an action officer in the Special Actions Branch. He transferred in June 1967 to George Air Force Base
George Air Force Base
George Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base located within city limits, 8 miles northwest of central Victorville, California, about 75 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California. The facility was closed by the Base Realignment and Closure 1992 commission at the end of the Cold...
, California for F-4 Phantom II
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
replacement training.
Vietnam
In January 1968 the general was assigned to the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udon Royal Thai Air Force BaseUdon Thani International Airport
Udonthani International Airport is an airport located near the city of Udon Thani in Udon Thani Province in the northeast region of Thailand. It is approximately 280 miles northeast of Bangkok...
, Thailand, serving as a combat pilot and assistant operations officer. By September 1968 he had flown 100 combat missions over North Vietnam
North Vietnam
The Democratic Republic of Vietnam , was a communist state that ruled the northern half of Vietnam from 1954 until 1976 following the Geneva Conference and laid claim to all of Vietnam from 1945 to 1954 during the First Indochina War, during which they controlled pockets of territory throughout...
. In October 1968 he was selected as aide to the commander in chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Lindsey Air Station, West Germany. Three months later, when the commander in chief was assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium, General Davis also moved and became the aide to the chief of staff there.
Staff college
After graduating from the Armed Forces Staff College in June 1971, he transferred to the Air Force Military Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force BaseRandolph Air Force Base
Randolph Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located east-northeast of San Antonio, Texas. The base is under the jurisdiction of the 902d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command ....
, Texas. During this tour of duty, he served as chief, Special Category Manning Section, then deputy chief and, later, chief of the Rated Career Management Branch. In June 1976 he graduated from the Air War College and was assigned to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base
Hill Air Force Base
Hill Air Force Base is a major U.S. Air Force Base located in northern Utah, just south of the city of Ogden, and near the towns of Clearfield, Riverdale, Roy, Sunset, and Layton. It is about north of Salt Lake City. The base was named in honor of Major Ployer Peter Hill of the U.S. Army Air...
, Utah, first as assistant deputy commander for operations, then as deputy commander for operations and, later, as vice commander.
Commands
From May 1979 to June 1980 he commanded the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing, Nellis Air Force BaseNellis Air Force Base
Nellis Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. It is under the jurisdiction of Air Combat Command .-Overview:...
, Nevada. General Davis then transferred to Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, and served as Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
's deputy chief of staff for personnel. In September 1982 he was assigned as director of personnel programs in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Personnel, Air Force headquarters. The general became assistant deputy chief of staff for military personnel, Air Force headquarters, and commander, Air Force Military Personnel Center, in September 1984. He then served as deputy chief of staff for operations and intelligence, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Field, re-named Hickam Air Force Base in 1948, was a United States Air Force facility now part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, named in honor of aviation pioneer Lt Col Horace Meek Hickam.- History :...
, Hawaii, from August 1986 until August 1987, when he became vice commander in chief, Pacific Air Forces. From January 1988 until July 1991 he was commander of U.S. Forces Japan, and 5th Air Force, Yokota Air Base
Yokota Air Base
, is a United States Air Force base in the city of Fussa, one of 26 cities in the Tama Area, or Western Tokyo.The base houses 14,000 personnel. The base occupies a total area of and has a runway...
, Japan. Additionally, from November 5, 1990, until February 18, 1991, General Davis concurrently served as commander, Pacific Air Forces. He assumed final position in July 1991.
Honors
The general was a command pilot with more than 4,500 flying hours, including 270 combat hours. His military awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service MedalDefense Distinguished Service Medal
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States...
, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel.The Air Force...
, Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
, Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with 10 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Presidential Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation
The Presidential Unit Citation is a senior unit award granted to military units which have performed an extremely meritorious or heroic act, usually in the face of an armed enemy...
, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device and two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
with two service stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy...
, Vietnam Service Medal with silver service star, Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short, Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Long, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with eight oak leaf clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He also has received the Order of National Security Merit, Gouges Medal - South Korea, Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure
Order of the Sacred Treasure
The is a Japanese Order, established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji of Japan as the Order of Meiji. It is awarded in eight classes . It is generally awarded for long and/or meritorious service and considered to be the lowest of the Japanese orders of merit...
- Japan, and Award of Knight Grand Cross with Sash - Thailand. Additionally, he has been inducted into the Order of the Sword
Order of the Sword (United States)
The Order of the Sword is an honor awarded within the U.S. Air Force. It is defined in the Airman's Guide by Boone Nicolls as a "special program where noncommisioned officers of a command recognize individuals they hold in high esteem and wish to honor...
, which is the highest honor noncommissioned officers can bestow.