Harold C. Davis, 92, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Tuesday, June 3, 2014, at ParkWest Medical Center, in Knoxville.
Mr. Davis was born December 14, 1921, in Knoxville. He continued to live in Knoxville until his early adulthood. He had lived in Oliver Springs since 1957.
Harold joined the United States Air Force in 1942 at the age of 20. While serving during World War II, he flew 29 combat missions as a waist gunner aboard a B-24 Liberator with the 8th Air Force 67 Squadron, 44th Bomb Group. While serving, he received several medals including the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with four Bronze Stars, Air Medal 8th AF, with three Oak Clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and several other medals, decorations, ribbons, and commendations.
At the age of 90, in Atlanta, Ga., he was awarded the L’egion d’Honneur, which is the equivalent of the French Knighthood, for his role in the Liberation of France.
Harold Davis insisted that he did nothing special, and he has always stated, “There were a lot of others who did the same thing as I did, and God brought me back home.”
He was a faithful Christian and a member of the Harriman Baptist Tabernacle.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Garrett Odell Davis and Estella Seyimour Davis; by a brother, Raymond Davis; and by a sister, Wanda Davis.
Harold is survived by his wife of 53 years, Thelma “Jean” Jarnigan Davis of Oliver Springs; by daughters, Trudy Lynn Crowe and husband Phillip of Chattanooga, and Kimberly Ann Krug and husband Walter of Chattanooga; by grandchildren, Justin Derrick Davis Crowe of Chattanooga, Jonathan Phillip Crowe of Chattanooga, and Matthew Taylor Erwin of Ringgold, Ga.; by great-grandchildren, Alyssia Marie Davis of Chattanooga, Caitlin Elizabeth Davis and Brooklyn Renee Davis both of Wallace, N.C.; by three brothers, George Davis and wife Gerrie of Corryton, David Davis of Jefferson City, and James “Jim” Davis of Jefferson City; and by a sister, Brenda Krantz and husband Loren, of Morristown, Tenn.
He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and a host of special friends.
The family received friends on Saturday, June 7, 2014, between 6 and 8 p.m. at Sharp Funeral Home. The funeral followed at 8 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Pastor James Jones and Pastor Jeff Parrott officiating. Burial and graveside services, with full military honors, were Sunday, June 8, 2014, at 2 p.m. with Pastor Garvan Walls officiating.
Sharp Funeral Home is serving the Davis family, and an online guest book is available at www.sharpfh.com.
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