Lieutenant Colonel Chester P. Davis

Lieutenant Colonel Chester Davis enlisted in the U.S. Army on 3 September 1942. After completing Infantry Basic Training and Noncommissioned Officer School, LTC Davis was selected to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS Class, Seventh Company, 2nd Student Training Regiment) at Fort Benning, Georgia. He graduated OCS and was commissioned Second Lieutenant of Infantry on 19 June 1943.

After serving as a Platoon Leader with the 1st Training Regiment, Infantry Replacement Training Center, Fort McClellan, Alabama, LTC Davis volunteered for service with Office of Strategic Services (OSS). After completing orientation and training in “Area X” (Classified training area in Bethesda, Maryland) LTC Davis was assigned as an OSS Instructor. Following his assignment as an instructor, LTC Davis was assigned to the “French Operational Group” that eventually became Company B, 2671st Special Reconnaissance Battalion (OSS), sent overseas to train in North Africa, received his airborne qualification, and was dropped in behind enemy lines in France to support the invasion of South France.

After the South France Campaign, LTC Davis then transferred at his own request to the 82nd Airborne Division, where he saw service as a rifle platoon leader and Rifle Company Commander with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, participating in three major campaigns until they met the Russians east of the Elbe River (Germany) at the close of World War II.

LTC Davis was promoted to Captain at the age of 24. He separated from the service 19 December 1946 and was placed in the Active Reserve. He was recalled to active duty 2 January 1951 for the Korean War and served in Korea as a rifle Company Commander and Battalion Staff Officer with the 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division in 1951 and 1952. On 12 January 1952 as Rifle Company Commander of Company L, 38th Infantry Regiment, LTC Davis earned a Silver Star for Gallantry in action while leading his Company on an attack on strongly fortified enemy positions located on Hill 472 vicinity of Ponggil-li, North Korea. In 1960-1961 LTC Davis was an "early-goer" to Vietnam as a member of the Military Assistance Advisory Group – Vietnam (MAAG-V). As a member of the MAAG-V he served as an advisor to the staff of the Training Center and National NCO Academy.

LTC Davis also served with the following units: 508th Airborne Regimental Combat Team; 501st Airborne Battle Group; Headquarters,82nd Airborne Division; Headquarters, XVIII Airborne Corps; Headquarters, Eighth Army; and as an IG with Headquarters, Seventh Army. | LTC Davis’s awards included the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge (2nd Award), US and French Parachute Badges and eleven service medals. | LTC Davis retired from active duty as a Lieutenant Colonel on 1 November 1966 and passed away 25 January 1995.