Michael McQuatters Davis

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Andy Chacon on February 10, 2015:

Obituary of Mike Davis, USMA '51 Michael McQuatters Davis, Colonel U.S. Army, (Ret), died at home January 9, 2014, after a long illness borne with great fortitude. He was born September 4, 1928, at Fort Monroe, Va. Col. Davis was the only child of General Michael Frank Davis and Gladys McQuatters Davis. General Davis served as a pilot with the American Expeditionary Force in WWI who later went on to command the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center, which subsequently became Lackland AFB. Following in the steps of his father, Mike attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1951. After graduation from West Point Colonel Davis served in the Korean War where he was an artillery forward observer and subsequently a battery commander in the 45th division, receiving the Bronze Star Medal. Early in his career he became an Army Aviator and served in a number of progressively more responsible command and staff positions in that field. He was assigned as an aviation officer in Thailand from 1965-66 and then returned to Asia in 1969 to again serve in combat with the 165th Aviation Group in Vietnam where he was awarded three Bronze Star Medals, two Air Medals and the Army Commendation Medal. His other decorations included the Meritorious Service Medal and in light of his distinguished overall service to the country, upon retiring he was awarded the Legion of Merit, the highest non-combat decoration in the Army. Upon retiring from the Army in 1975 Colonel Davis made his home in San Antonio where he raised his sons and had a second career in business. Having earned a Master's of Science degree from Troy State University and MBA from the University of Texas at San Antonio, he became the President and owner of Excalibur Aviation Company until retiring in 1998. Col. Davis had a special place in his heart for his former classmates at West Point. He loved military history, scotch, physical fitness, cars, motorcycles and, most of all, airplanes. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Lisa Munson Davis; two sons, by a previous marriage to Evangeline Leialoha Davis, Robert and Lee Davis; granddaughters, Stephanie and Melissa Davis; step daughters, Nicole Fagerberg and Olivia Chacon and daughter-in-law, Mary Anne Davis. He is preceded in death by his eldest son, Michael M.M. Davis. The family is grateful to the many people who helped Mike during his illness, especially, Dr. Christopher Mattson of SAMMC, hospice nurses and aides, and the loyal caregivers who made his care at home possible. A graveside service was held February 5, 2015, at 1:30pm, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. From the San Antonio Express-News, January 25, 2015

admin