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Retired Gen. Bennie L. Davis
Retired Gen. Bennie L. Davis passed away Sept. 23, 2012, in Georgetown, Texas. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)
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 GENERAL BENNIE L. DAVIS
Former SAC commander dies

Posted 9/27/2012 Email story   Print story

    

9/27/2012 - FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) -- Retired Gen. Bennie L. Davis, former commander in chief of Strategic Air Command and director of the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff, with headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., died Sept. 23 in Georgetown, Texas. He was 84 years-old.

Davis assumed his position as the SAC commander in chief and JSTPS director in August 1981. He was the commander in chief until Aug. 1, 1985, when he retired from the Air Force.

Davis, a native of McAlester, Okla., graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. and was Vietnam combat-tested B-57 tactical bomber pilot.

As the SAC commander, he led the nation's major nuclear deterrent force with bombers, tankers, reconnaissance aircraft and intercontinental ballistic missiles and coordinated United States nuclear war plans and developed the Single Integrated Operational Plan as the JSTPS director.

Davis was a command pilot with more than 9,000 flying hours. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal (Air Force), Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Emblem and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon.

A memorial service honoring Davis' legacy is scheduled for Sept. 28 in Andice, Texas, and his interment will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.

(Courtesy of Air Force News Service)



tabComments
10/1/2012 4:51:18 PM ET
RIP General Davis We have lost a great man and a great member of the USAF. I worked for Gen. Davis at SAC Headquarters I was his DriverBodyguard and spent a lot of time whth both him and his wife Pat at all kind of functions in the Omaha area. I know that he loved flying and got to fly some of the greatest aircraft of our time. He now has recieved his second set of wings. God Bless General and your family.
David Henshaw, Colorado Springs CO
 
9/28/2012 8:00:26 PM ET
The SAC family has lost another great man from its family tree
Rick, Texas
 
9/28/2012 12:47:51 PM ET
Rest in Peace Sir One of the greatest Leaders I have known. SAC Peace was our Profession
MSgt Retired, USA
 
9/28/2012 11:45:18 AM ET
I met General Davis when I was a second lieutenant at Whiteman AFB in 1985. He was a class act and his leadership of SAC was unmatched. He was a leader's leader.
Michael, Kirtland AFB N.M.
 
9/28/2012 10:59:32 AM ET
RIP Gen Davis and thanks for your years of leadership of the most lethal combat force ever assembled. Back when Generals were not O10s.
Oscar Flight, Castle Rock SoDak
 
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