John Alexander Davidson II

I've just learned, to my sorrow, of John's passing, and it will take some time to recover from the shock. John was one of the best in all kinds of ways, and I'm grateful to have had the pleasure of knowing him and the honor of serving with him when the two of us were in Savannakhet, Laos in 1971 and 1972. (I arrived there as an intelligence officer two or three weeks after the incident in which he was wounded.) He was one of my favorite comrades -- cheerful, good-hearted, conscientious, and, of course, both smart and brave. And he was an excellent housemate. In December 1971 his mother sent him a plum pudding, and John and I decided it deserved some flaming brandy. Neither of us actually knew how to set it alight, and when our cook, a young Vietnamese woman, found us trying to ignite it, she concluded that both of us were crazy. Debriefing him after a mission was an enjoyable challenge because he tended to give me a stream-of-consciousness narrative starting with whatever he had found most interesting. My task was to turn it into a more or less chronological report, but that was no chore because I so enjoyed his company.

Tricia, I'm so sorry! He was a fine man, truly one of the best.

To Tricia and the Davidson Family

I'm sorry for your loss. I went to grade school and high school with John. I was in Springfield when he got out of the AF, and he told me that he could have gone to any grad school at the AF's expense - except Harvard, and that was where he wanted to go. He never mentioned the bravery of his service or his decorations.

Rest in peace.

To my loving husband. I miss you dearly and thank you for the time we had together. The wonderful memories will last me to eternity.

Tricia, Robbie, Helen, Patty, Mary Beth, and Tommy

I was stunned and saddened to hear of John's death. Our lives had not crossed for a long time, although they may have come close when I was at the 24th evac hospital in Long Binh, Vietnam in 1970. I was John's sponsor for confirmation and would not have guessed that our quiet neiborhood would have yielded such a warrior. It is clear from these pages that he touched many lives. My deepest sympathies to you all in your loss.

Robert K. Anzinger M.D.

May you be happy and in heaven. May you be laughing with your wonderful parents, with John West and so many of our friends who wait to see you there.

Joe and I remember one long bus trip to Mammoth when we sat next to John. We spent the long night talking about flying, skiing and all the people and places we had in common. He was a bright light, and an angel on the slopes. He was funny and really really smart! He was also very humble, I never heard him recount his accomplishments.

He was my Snow King in 1980.(?) I treasure the photo that was taken of us that night at LA Council's Gala, and had it with me as one of the few special photos we took as Joe & I sailed across the Pacific in our little boat. I sent John a copy of it a couple of weeks ago, he replied to my email that he was glad to have it.

I remember the last line of a poem someone quoted yesterday, " I would have been a better friend, but I trusted in time".

John was an inspiration to all of us at the Single Ski Club of Los Angeles. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him

The children of Roger and Catherine Shouvlin are so sorry to hear of John's passing. We have very fond memories growing up in Springfield. Our deepest sympathies to your family.

Sharon Shouvlin Conrad

The Hawkins family extends our sympathies to the Davidson family at the loss of John. We remember the kindness offered to us by your mother when ours was so ill. Our lives have taken us in many directions but our childhood memories remain. We are so sorry for your loss.

Harvard MBA Class of 1977 is honored to have known John. A 1969 United States Air Force Academy Economics graduate, John was a member of the elite and secret USAF Ravens who flew covert Forward Air Controller missions in unarmed, low flying single engine Cessna’s over Laos and Cambodia during the Vietnam War to mark enemy targets with smoke rockets to direct air strikes onto them. These covert missions became necessary after the United States and North Vietnam signed the 1962 Geneva Accords guaranteeing the neutrality Laos, but North Vietnam kept open their supply corridor in Laos, the Ho Chi Minh Trail, to support their attack on South Vietnam. In order to avoid the appearance of unilateral violation of the Accords and upon request from the Laotian prime minister, President John F. Kennedy directed the USAF and CIA to perform covert operations in Laos to counteract the hostile action. The small number of the “civilianized” Ravens pilots were among the bravest and most capable of veteran U.S. fighter pilots. Their planes were known to have taken as many as 50 hits of battle damage in a single sortie. The casualty rate among them ran about 50% killed and wounded. 90% of the Raven planes had been hit by ground fire during their tours of duty; 60% had been downed by enemy action at some point.

While piloting his U-17 aircraft as a 1st Lt., John was injured in Laos on Nov 14, 1971 on an operational mission when he was struck by hostile ground fire and he was hospitalized for treatment of a right arm wound and a minor leg wound. His decorations included 1 Distinguished Service medal, 1 Silver Star, 14 Air Medals, 1 Air Force commendation Medal and of course, 1 Purple Heart. John was among one of the lucky Raven survivors and resigned as an USAF Captain in August,1975 to join us at HBS.

John’s first year study group (Mazza, Nitterhouse, Manzi, Smith, Langeler, Nelson, Mads Langeveld) recalled when they gathered the day before school started to prepare for the first case study, fresh fears from having watched the movie “Paper Chase” drove them into a 30 minute nervous debate on how best to proceed when John finally stood up and declared to the group,” Guys, stop sweating it. Professors may be tough but they are not going to shoot at us !’. On that sobering perspective, everyone instantly got quiet and stopped whining on the warm comfort that nobody will die from attending HBS.

HBS '77 takes a deep bow today in salute to our hero classmate.

Desmond C. Wong
Class Secretary
Harvard MBA Class of 1977

John was one of the best and brightest,
just like his dad.My prayers are with you .
Fritzie Calabrese Hagan

How sad to have lost one of our own and so quickly. We think we are invincible until this happens. I was John's membership chairperson when he was president of SSC. I am so glad I saw him at the anniversary party in Sept. May you rest in peace and my deepest sympathies to Trish and your family. Roseanne Apyan, member, SSC

I worked with John at the VA, and when I speak with co-workers we all comment on his liveliness. He was vitally dedicated to his work and his fellow Veterans. Everyone I have spoken with was struck by his uncommon decency. My deepest sympathy to all of us who mourn him.

I had the pleasure of working with John on the Mental Health Data Committee at the VA Greater Los Angeles. John was incredibly bright, humble, and easygoing. He was extremely committed to improving data systems so Veterans could receive better care. I could always count on him and always felt supported when he showed up to our meetings!

Thank you for your service to our country.

Blue Star Mothers of America
Buckeye Military Moms, Ch 9
Worthington/Cols. OH

John was a special person, always ready with a smile and a laugh....and just watch out when his eyes started to twinkle--it was always something to be around John. He has left a void in the Ski Clubs and in the world and will be missed very much. Forever will he be 'flat out runnig the course' at Rokka---'ON YOUR MARK, RACER READY, GO-GO-GO................

John was special. A great warrior and friend. We were in the same squadron at the Air Force Academy (I was a year ahead of John). We were both Raven FACs in SE Asia. While we only crossed paths the last few years at Raven Reunions, we had a special bond. I have a large empty spot in my heart with John's passing.

A tearful salute to a true hero...

Swanee

I am saddened to hear of John's passing. I knew John for about 30 years from the Ski Club activities we shared together. John always loved to ski and he was always nice to everyone. He was a leader and a very giving person in our group activities. I just saw John recently at our ski club reunion. He will be missed by all of his ski friends of which he had manny. Joel Stuckey (Roseville, CA)

I am so sorry to hear of his passing. John was a USAFA classmate, fellow Raven and combat aviator. He was very special and I always enjoyed our times together. He was a man of many great talents and just plain fun to be with. I might add, too, that he taught me so much. I prefer to believe that this world is a lesser place without him.

To Tricia and family - my deepest condolences

To John - I will miss you so. A very tearful hand salute!

Darrel Whitcomb, USAFA 1969, Raven 25 1972/3

I was shocked to hear of John's illness followed so quickly by his passing. I've know John since the 70s and the heydays of the Single Ski Club. There are so many crazy memories of John during those good old days. We miss you John. May you rest in peace my friend.

John is the first of my generation of cousins to pass on. His father and mine were brothers, and they were the first of their generation of brothers and sisters (my aunts, uncles and parents) to pass. My mother died September 18.

John was my older brother's age, so my friendship with John was tangental compared with the rest of my "Ohio Davidson" cousins. I visited him with Boston when he was getting his Harvard MBA. I last saw him in Carmel at my nephew's wedding.

God bless us all.

I was extremely saddened to hear of the passing of John. I have known him since Sheppard AF days. He was an intelligent, witty, caring sole who was a lot of fun. John will be missed by his friends, family and the VA Veterans he served over the past few years. My sincere condolences.

Kara Koren-Szirotnyak

Tricia, I enjoyed discussing the history and contribution of Raven FACs to the Lao people and our national security objectives in Southeast Asia with John. His military service in the Air Force and w/ the Department of Veterans Affairs was meritorious.

Where do we get such men? He will be missed.

Godspeed,
- Scatback Scribe -