France DAVIS Sr.

AUSTIN, TEXAS - France Pershing Davis Sr. (SFC US Army, retired) passed away on Dec. 16, 2010.
Sergeant Davis was born in Lytle, Texas, in 1918 and spent 26½ years in the service of his country in the Texas National Guard, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Army. He enlisted in the Navy shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and was in the Submarine Force in the Pacific Theatre during WW II, where he earned the Silver Dolphins and Submarine Combat Pin. He served on both the USS Snook and the USS Sawfish and was a longtime member of the U.S. Submarine Veterans of WW II. After the war, and following a second stint in the U.S. Merchant Marine, he enlisted in the army, serving two tours in West Germany, two tours in Korea, and two tours in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star.
Sgt. Davis retired from the Army at Fort Eustis, Virginia, and settled down in Hampton, Va., for 34 years with his wife Jeanne. In 2002 they moved to Knoxville, Tenn., to be near his daughter. Since 2007 he has resided at the Heritage at Gaines Ranch in Austin, Texas.
Sgt. Davis was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Jeanne L. Davis, in 2007.
Survivors include sons, France Davis Jr. and wife, Alice, of Austin, Texas, and Michael S. Davis of Coral Springs, Fla.; and daughters Zoe, and Cindy and husband, Peter, of Oak Ridge, Tenn. Sgt. Davis has six grandchildren.
Burial, with full Military Honors, will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 28, 2011, at Arlington National Cemetery.
Condolences may be made at www.cookwaldenforestoaks.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Austin.
Arrangements under the care of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, 6300 W. William Cannon Drive, Austin, TX 78749, (512) 892-1172. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.