THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Major Robert Davis,
Thank you for your service as a Navigator. I read you were identified in 1996. WELCOME HOME.
It is so important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

The Ban Karai Pass was one of several passes through the mountainous border of Vietnam and Laos. U.S. aircraft through them regularly, and many aircraft were lost. On the Laos side of the border coursed the "Ho Chi Minh Trail", a road heavily traveled by North Vietnamese troops moving materiel and personnel to their destinations through the relative safety of neutral Laos. The return ratio of men lost in and around the passes is far lower than that of those men lost in more populous areas, even though both were shot down by the same enemy and the same weapons. This is partly due to the extremely rugged terrain and resulting difficulty in recovery. The Douglas A-26 was a twin-engine attack bomber with World War II service. In Vietnam, it served the French in the 1950's and also the U.S. in the early years of American involvement in Southeast Asia. In 1966, eight A-26s were deployed to Nakhon Phanom (NKP) to perform hunter-killer missions against truck convoys in southern Laos. Some of these A-26s were assigned to the 609th Special Operations Squadron at NKP. On March 23, 1969, an A-26A departed NKP on a combat mission with a crew consisting of pilot CAPT James W. Widdis Jr. and navigator CAPT Robert C. Davis. As the two were about 15 miles west of the Ban Karai Pass, the aircraft was struck by hostile fire. No parachutes were seen and no beepers were heard, but the opportunity existed for the two to safely eject, and they were listed missing in action. Davis was determined presumed dead in 1975, and Widdis in 1978. During the period they were listed missing, Widdis was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and Davis to Major. Joint field activities in 1994 and 1995 resulted in the recovery of aircraft wreckage and human remains. The remains of Davis were individually identified and remains of both men were included in a group-remains identification. Mitochondrial DNA testing aided in confirming the identification of Davis. [Taken from pownetwork.org]

Dear Major Robert Charles Davis, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

I have had the bracelet for Robert C Davis for over 40 years. I continue to think of and pray for Robert C Davis and his family. When The Moving Wall was in our community I anxiously searched for his name. I wasn't prepared for the emotions that overtook me once his name was in my sight. I have a rubbing of Robert C Davis which I keep with the bracelet. Thank you for serving our country. You are a real hero.

United States Air Force Academy - Class of 1960

Photo Credit - United States Air Force Academy