Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Software, E-Resource George Paris Davis, III Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 66th MI Detachment, 6th Amored Cavalry Regiment; 131st MI Company (AS); D Troop, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation
- Location of Service: Fort Benning and Fort Stewart, Georgia; Fort Holabird and Fort Meade, Maryland; Washington, DC; Thailand; Da Nang and Hue Phu Bai, Vietnam; Fort Wolters and Fort Hood, Texas; Seoul, Korea; Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Fort Rucker, Alabama
- Highest Rank: Major
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/20385
Flying reconnaissance missions over North Vietnam and Laos in a Mohawk aircraft, George Davis was well aware of the plane's nickname, The Widowmaker. Working at night with no air support or weapons, Davis photographed evidence of enemy troop movements and construction for use on future bombing runs. His expertise served him well in directing recon missions over the DMZ in Korea and at the Pentagon, where he coordinated photo analysis for special forces operations around the world.
Interview / Recording
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PlayMotivation for enlisting in the Army; decision to enroll in Officer Candidate School; being selected for a commission in intelligence. 00:01:36.5 - 00:06:11.5
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PlayFirst intelligence duty on anti-war disturbances in Washington, DC. 00:06:29.8 - 00:08:25.0
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PlayDescription of the Mohawk aircraft he flew for reconnaissance missions; the dangers of learning to fly helicopters. 00:10:32.6 - 00:13:35.7
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PlayDifference between flying helicopters and fixed wing airplanes. 00:15:52.0 - 00:17:39.8
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PlayFlying unarmed, but sophisticated equipment to protect the plane; near-crash in training in Arizona. 00:23:00.0 - 00:24:46.2
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PlayHis love for the service and how he would serve again, even in the face of the negative public opinion of the war; his parents' concern for his safety in country. 00:27:12.2 - 00:29:07.5
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PlayFlying into the Plain of Jars in Laos; nature of missions; resiliency of North Vietnamese after bombing. 00:35:51.2 - 00:43:59.6
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PlayLosing his best buddy who flew with him as a "rightseater," or technical observer, killed in a crash when another pilot reacted badly to losing an engine; danger of flying a Mohawk; determination not to be captured. 00:44:58.3 - 00:50:09.3
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PlayMostly negative role of politics in his missions; effect of Jane Fonda's visit to Vietnam on treatment of POWs; indifferent or hostile reception of Vietnam vets back in the States. 00:50:32.1 - 00:55:02.7
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PlayCamaraderie among the Mohawk pilots; life at the officers' club in country; reunions in the States. 00:55:31.3 - 00:58:06.2
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PlayFlying missions in which a low-flying helicopter tried to attract fire, with two gun ships trailing behind to return fire on the enemy; he directed the missions from above in a helicopter. 01:00:00.3 - 01:02:00.6
More Resources
Interview / Recording
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PlayScariest moments: under rocket fire at Danang Air Base or Marble Mountain. 00:09:14.1 - 00:12:45.3
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PlayTypical day for him in country; hosting CBS reporter Ed Bradley; coming home after his tour to no celebration; bitterness over lack of gratitude. 00:16:13.4 - 00:22:45.4
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PlayPost-Vietnam duty; commanding a Mohawk flying recon in Korea along the DMZ; in the Pentagon working on imagery support to special operations units. 00:31:30.5 - 00:35:16.5
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PlayCommunicating with his family via tapes; recalling a favorite musical tape, "Tapestry," by Carole King. 00:38:00.5 - 00:39:57.0
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PlayHow his military experience affected his life; getting some help on his flight physical exam from someone who knew how much Davis wanted to fly. 00:41:05.1 - 00:45:49.5
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About this Item
Title
- George Paris Davis, III Collection
Names
- West Virginia University School of Journalism
- Samsell, Martha
- Beeson, Joel
- Davis III, George Paris
Home State
- West Virginia
Headings
- - Davis III, George Paris
- - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 66th MI Detachment, 6th Amored Cavalry Regiment; 131st MI Company (AS); D Troop, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation
- Location of Service: Fort Benning and Fort Stewart, Georgia; Fort Holabird and Fort Meade, Maryland; Washington, DC; Thailand; Da Nang and Hue Phu Bai, Vietnam; Fort Wolters and Fort Hood, Texas; Seoul, Korea; Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Fort Rucker, Alabama
- Highest Rank: Major
- Dates of Service: 1967-1987
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran flew over 100 missions in the OV-1 Mohawk. Commander of Mohawk Company, A Company, 146th MI Battalion, while stationed in Korea.
Materials
- Video: Digital Betacam [2 items] -- Digitized Copy (collected unknown)
- Photograph: Photocopy of Photographic Print [36 items] -- Photograph (collected 1970-1975)
- Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Multiple types of electronic files (collected 2003; 2003-07-23)
- Manuscript: Biographical information [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2003)
- Video: DVCPRO [2 items] -- Oral history interview (collected 2003)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/20385
Cite as
- George Paris Davis, III Collection (AFC/2001/001/20385), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- video
Additional Metadata Formats
IIIF Presentation Manifest
Part of
Wars & Conflicts
Service Branch
Location of Service
- Da Nang and Hue Phu Bai, Vietnam
- Fort Benning and Fort Stewart, Georgia
- Fort Holabird and Fort Meade, Maryland
- Fort Huachuca, Arizona
- Fort Rucker, Alabama
- Fort Wolters and Fort Hood, Texas
- Seoul, Korea
- Thailand
- Washington, DC
Service Unit
- 12th Combat Aviation
- 131st MI Company (as)
- 17th Cavalry Regiment
- 66th MI Detachment
- 6th Amored Cavalry Regiment
- D Troop