Howard Dale Davis

CAPTAIN HOWARD DALE DAVIS
U.S. Air Force Academy, Class of 1959, Cadet Squadron 1

EARLY LIFE AND PATH TO THE ACADEMY
Howard Dale Davis was born on March 7, 1935. Before his appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, Howard attended the University of Missouri, where he not only pursued his early studies but also met the love of his life, Sue. When the opportunity arose to join the inaugural class of the newly formed Air Force Academy, Howard stepped forward to become a pioneer of the "Forever First" Class of 1959.

As a member of Cadet Squadron 1, Howard navigated the rigorous and uncharted waters of the Academy's first years. His time at the Academy was marked by the unique challenges of establishing traditions for a new service branch, culminating in the historic graduation ceremony at the permanent site in Colorado Springs.

MILITARY SERVICE AND VIETNAM
Following graduation, Howard entered pilot training at Graham Air Base and Vance Air Force Base. He earned his wings in 1960 and spent the next several years sharing his expertise as an Instructor Pilot at Vance.

In 1965, Howard was deployed to Southeast Asia during the height of the Vietnam War. Serving as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) with the 6250th Combat Support Group at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, he flew the O-1 Bird Dog. His role was one of the most dangerous in the theater: flying low-altitude reconnaissance to mark targets and coordinate air strikes for ground forces.

For his gallantry in action on April 9 and 10, 1966, Captain Davis was awarded the Silver Star. His citation recognizes his "superlative airmanship and courage" while directing air strikes under intense hostile fire. He was also honored with the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Silver Star for his exceptional coordination with ground units.

POST-WAR AND CIVILIAN LIFE
After returning from Vietnam, Howard returned to the cockpit as an Instructor Pilot at Williams Air Force Base. Following his active military service, he transitioned into academia and government service. He earned both a Master of Education and an MBA from the University of Oregon, where he also served as a Graduate Teaching Fellow.

Howard applied his analytical skills as a Government Auditor for the Department of Defense’s Defense Contract Audit Agency in Phoenix, Arizona, until his retirement in 1990.

PERSONAL LIFE AND LEGACY
In retirement, Howard and Sue settled in Sedona, Arizona. Howard was a man of deep faith, actively involved in The Master’s Bible Church of Sedona, where he dedicated much of his time to studying the Word of God. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, and he possessed a keen eye for photography, capturing the rugged beauty of the Arizona landscape.

Howard passed away on July 28, 2023, at the age of 88. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Sue. He is survived by his two sons, D.C. and David Davis, and his grandchildren, Ender and Matisse, who remember him as a man of integrity, service, and unwavering faith.

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SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS
Year Duty Location
1959–1960 Pilot Training Graham AB, FL / Vance AFB, OK
1960–1965 Instructor Pilot Vance AFB, OK
1965–1966 Pilot, Forward Air Controller (O-1A) 6250th Combat Support Group, Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam
1966–1970 Instructor Pilot Williams AFB, AZ
1972–1974 Post-graduate Studies / Teaching Fellow University of Oregon, OR
1975–1990 Government Auditor DOD Defense Contract Audit Agency, Phoenix, AZ