Official Site of the U.S. Air Force   Right Corner Banner
Join the Air Force

News > Former SAC commander dies
 
Photos 
Retired Gen. Bennie L. Davis
Retired Gen. Bennie L. Davis passed away Sept. 23, 2012, in Georgetown, Texas. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)
Download HiRes
 
Related Biographies
 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
 
Add a comment

 Inside AF.mil

ima cornerSearch

tabSubscribe AF.MIL
tabMore HeadlinesRSS feed 
Army UH-1H finds new home with Air Force

Academy cadets to conduct 'Flightline of the Future' research

Intel experts converge for 2012 GEOINT Symposium  1

AF training instructor responds to traffic accident  1

Air Force leaders salute Navy on 237th birthday  1

AFSPC commander speaks at 11th Annual Air Force IT Day event

Through Airmen's Eyes: U.K. Airman places in 61.2-mile ultra-marathon  1

Academy cyber competition team takes 1st at NYU event  1

Gen. Shelton convenes accident investigation

Airmen rally to help save lives  1

Lost Johnny Carson film found at March

Brig. Gen. Witham nominated as ANG deputy director

AFPC Airman: Don't forget, they're not all home

Muncy Honored With Second Highest Private Citizen Award

tabCommentaryRSS feed 
Standards? What standards?   3

First things first: Get your degrees in order  40


Site Map      Contact Us     Questions     Security and Privacy notice     E-publishing