Ortonville- The true extent of Robert Davis? heroic efforts in the Vietnam War will remain unknown. He has now gained a place of honor at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly following his death on Dec. 10.
He was 63.
Born in 1942, Davis a native of Nitro W.V. graduated from Nitro High School in 1960. He attended West Virginia University where he joined the Reserve Officers? Training Corps. In 1965 he enlisted in the Army and stationed at Ft. Knox, Ky. In 1967 he was transported to Vietnam.
He served as the Aero-Rifle Platoon Commander of C Troop 7th Squadron 17th Air Cavalry in Camp Enri. As a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, Davis was involved in heavy contact with the enemy.
‘From that camp he was the first chopper into action,? said Joel Davis, son of Robert. He put himself in harm’s way rather than those that followed. He never talked too much about the war but he dropped off troops in action and airlifted casualties and other troops out.?
‘He was shot down three times in Vietnam, each time within a mile of the camp. And each time he walked back to safety. He was so proud that no one in his squadron was killed during his command.
‘He told us, ‘it was the grace of God? that kept him and his men safe through some some bloody battles.?
After leaving the Army, he was employed as an industrial engineer for General Motors, retiring in 1996 after 26 years of service.
He married Ruby Stover on June 9, 1960 in Auburn Hills. The family moved to Ortonville in 1987.
He was the husband of Ruby, and father of Robert (Lisa) of Holly, Jason (Isabel) of Auburn Hills, Joel (Colleen) of Ortonville, and Mark Davis of Roseville; brother of Wayne E. Davis, also survived by five grandchildren.