Class Of 1964 USAF Academy

Jay's History

Gone But Not Forgotten

DavisJohnSm.jpg Lieutenant Colonel John J. Davis, United States Air Force Academy Class of 1964, died of lung cancer on 3 May 2001 in Virginia.

Jay reported to the Academy from the State of Virginia, determined to follow his father in a career of military service. While at the Academy, he was a member of the 9th Cadet Squadron, serving as Editor of the Polaris and member of the sky diving team.

Upon graduation, Jay was assigned to Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laredo AFB, TX. From 1966 to early 1967, he was an F-4 pilot at Seymour Johnson AFB, NC. From late 1967 to 1968, he was an F-4 pilot in the 92nd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Bentwaters RAFS, England. Jay's first combat assignment was with the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Udorn RTAB, Thailand in 1968. After training to become a weapons officer at the USAF Fighter Weapons School at Nellis AFB, NV in 1971, he returned to Udorn to serve as 432 Tactical Fighter Wing Weapons Officer in 1972. From 1973 to 1976 he served as a weapons officer in the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hahn AB, Germany. From 1976 through 1979, he served on the staff of Headquarters Tactical Air Command at Langley AFB, VA. From 1979 through early 1981, Jay was the 62nd Tactical Fighter Squadron Operations Officer at MacDill AFB, FL. In late 1981, he was transferred to the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Kunsan AB, Korea, where he became the Squadron Commander. In 1982 and 1983, he was a staff officer at Headquarters United States Air Force. Jay retired from the Air Force on 31 March 1984.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, Jay served his nation in the aerospace industry. From 1984 to 1990, he was a marketing manager for the Avionics Division of Westinghouse Company in Baltimore, MD. From 1990 to 2008, he was Manager of the Marketing Analysis Department of the Westinghouse company, also in Baltimore.

Jay was awarded 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, 25 Air Medals and the Air Force Commendation Medal for his service in Southeast Asia.

(Compiled from multiple sources by Doug Jenkins, '64)
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