Former SAC commander dies

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FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) --  Retired Gen. Bennie L. Davis, former commander in chief of Strategic Air Command and director of the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff, with headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., died Sept. 23 in Georgetown, Texas. He was 84 years-old.

Davis assumed his position as the SAC commander in chief and JSTPS director in August 1981. He was the commander in chief until Aug. 1, 1985, when he retired from the Air Force.

Davis, a native of McAlester, Okla., graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. and was Vietnam combat-tested B-57 tactical bomber pilot.

As the SAC commander, he led the nation's major nuclear deterrent force with bombers, tankers, reconnaissance aircraft and intercontinental ballistic missiles and coordinated United States nuclear war plans and developed the Single Integrated Operational Plan as the JSTPS director.

Davis was a command pilot with more than 9,000 flying hours. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal (Air Force), Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Emblem and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon.

A memorial service honoring Davis' legacy is scheduled for Sept. 28 in Andice, Texas, and his interment will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.

(Courtesy of Air Force News Service)