The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Donald Cooke Davis (NSN: 0-283361), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Task Group SEVENTY-SEVEN Point FOUR, Commanding Officer, U.S.S. KITTY HAWK (CVA-63) and Commander Task Force SEVENTY-SEVEN from 23 December 1967 to 1 June 1968. During this period Captain Davis was responsible for planning, coordinating and executing combat air strike operations against the enemy in Southeast Asia. An outstanding leader, Captain Davis constantly demonstrated enthusiasm, professional skill and sound judgment while directing air strikes against significant military targets and lines of communications in North Vietnam. The outstanding combat performance of the U.S.S. KITTY HAWK and her embarked Air Wing was the direct result of Captain Davis’ analyses of tactical situations, comprehensive planning and dynamic leadership. His performance of duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Air Medal
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Air Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Vice AdmiralAction Date:
May 1975 – February 1978
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Donald Cooke Davis (NSN: 0-283361), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Director, Navy Program Planning, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations from May 1975 to February 1978. As the Chief of Naval Operations Principal Staff Executive for all except Joint staff matters, Vice Admiral Davis demonstrated dynamic leadership, innovation, and personal initiative during a period of unprecedented worldwide inflation and resultant changes in national priorities. Severe fiscal constraints, imposed government-wide, required a thorough reexamination of the Navy’s management concepts, systems, and procedures in order to ensure that the Navy could continue to meet ever-expanding military commitments. He met this challenge by initiating many broad, new management concepts as well as refining many existing concepts. In addition, Vice Admiral Davis’ establishment of, and guidance to, various committees for each of the Navy’s major support areas resulted in support policies and manpower allocations that immediately increased efficiency and improved fleet readiness. His unparalleled knowledge of the programming and budgeting processes and their interfaces with the major systems acquisition process, coupled with an intimate knowledge of present fleet needs, allowed him to institute management actions that contributed to a more balanced, ready Navy. By his distinctive accomplishments, keen foresight, and steadfast dedication, Vice Admiral Davis reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Admiral Donald C. Davis, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. His singularly distinctive accomplishments and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Air Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantAction Date:
December 8, 1950 – January 19, 1951
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Medal to Lieutenant Donald Cooke Davis (NSN: 0-283361), United States Navy, for meritorious achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Jet Fighter and as a Division Leader in Fighter Squadron THIRTY-ONE, attached to the U.S.S. LEYTE, during operations against enemy aggressor forces in the Korean Area from 8 December 1950 to 19 January 1951. Completing ten missions during this period, Lieutenant Davis led his division in attacks against hostile targets in the vicinity of Wonju and Seoul and was instrumental in disrupting enemy troop movements. A skilled leader and tactician, he conducted effective target area patrols and thereby contributed materially to the successful withdrawal of beleaguered friendly forces near Hungnam. By his airmanship, courage and devotion to duty throughout, Lieutenant Davis upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Air Medal
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Air Medal to Lieutenant Donald Cooke Davis (NSN: 0-283361), United States Navy, for meritorious achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Jet Fighter and as a Division Leader in Fighter Squadron THIRTY-ONE, attached to the U.S.S. LEYTE, during operations against enemy aggressor forces in the Korean Area from 11 October to 7 December 1950. Completing ten missions during this period, Lieutenant Davis led armed reconnaissance and target area patrols deep into hostile territory and conducted attacks on railroad and highway systems, thereby assisting his unit in the infliction of severe damage on the enemy. A skilled airman and cool leader in the face of grave hazards, Lieutenant Davis personally destroyed or damaged several locomotives and contributed to the success of his division in damaging two active military trains on a single mission. His gallant devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Donald Cooke Davis (NSN: 0-283361), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from October 1968 to June 1969 as Fleet Operations Officer on the Staff of the Commander-in-Chief, United States Pacific Fleet. Exercising outstanding direction and forceful supervision, Captain Davis personally contributed to the rapid and effective response in meeting the challenges posed by the constantly-changing operations of the United States Pacific Fleet. Through his initiative and resourceful planning, coupled with sound judgment and a wide experience in naval operations, he readily comprehended and expertly resolved the problems of distribution of forces during a period when the heaviest demands were levied for the proper and efficient use of available assets. In such important areas as operational planning and maintenance of fleet readiness within the constraints of existing political and austere funding considerations, Captain Davis rendered exemplary and invaluable service to the Commander-in-Chief, providing an outstanding example and goal for all with whom he came in contact. His competence in situational evaluation, implementation of directives from higher authority, and managerial direction of the Pacific Fleet materially enhanced Pacific Fleet readiness. By his exceptional leadership, professional competence, and untiring devotion to duty, Captain Davis upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainAction Date:
February 16, 1963 – April 1, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Donald Cooke Davis (NSN: 0-283361), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant for Navy Programs, F-111 System Program Officer, Air Force Systems Command, from 16 February 1963 to 1 April 1966. During this period, Captain Davis demonstrated professional skill and managerial competence which contributed immeasurably to what is to become one of the major tactical and strategic weapons of the free world. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Captain Davis reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.