Herbert Davis was born at Nashville Tennessee, the son of Henry Clay Davis and Christopher Pearl Hester. Husband of Bonnie Newberry.
Captain Davis died non battle. B-29 Superfortress #42-24480 crashed during takeoff from Alamogordo Army Airfield, New Mexico, killing eleven and injuring two crewmembers. Shortly after takeoff, and gaining about 50 feet in elevation, the landing gear was retracted, but then the bomber came back down and collided with the ground, skidded across a road and into a field, where it broke apart and burst into flames. Only two airmen to the rear of the plane escaped. Investigators could not determine what caused the loss of power.
Crewmembers
st Lt. Earl L. Hammond, O-665682, WI, Pilot
Capt. Herbert C Davis, O-400357, TN, Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. William E Camp, O-831658, GA, Co-Pilot
1st Lt. John W Wilczewski, O-664855, OH, Bombardier
2nd Lt. William L Wagner, O-869173, CA, Flight Engineer
2nd Lt. Salvador Martinez, O-868822, CA, Student Engineer
1st Lt. Jack W Griffith, O-861542, PA, Student Engineer
T/Sgt. Franklin J Harrison, 14003564, GA, Student Engineer
Sgt. Theodore T Powell, 20458944, LA, Radio Operator
S/Sgt. Robert E Stephens, 12198734, NY, Student Radio Operator
Cpl. Allen M Zart, 33837239, PA, CFC Gunner
The Chattanooga Daily Times, 16 October 1944
Capt. Herbert C. Davis, 26, son of Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Davis, 2615 East 13th Street, was killed yesterday morning in an airplane crash at Almagordo, N.M., where he was stationed, his parents were informed. A former member of the office force of Wilson & Co. of Chattanooga, and a graduate of Central High School int he class of 1936, Capt. Davis entered the army air forces three years ago. He was called to active duty at that time and held a lieutenant’s commission in the reserve corps. Capt. Davis won his wings at Moody Field, Ga., and was stationed for some time as instructor aboard twin-engined planes at George Field, Ill. He also was on duty several months at the Augusta, Ga., army airfield, and married Miss Bonnie Newberry of Augusta, Ga. He was a member of the American Business Club and the Ridgedale Methodist Church in Chattanooga and the Officers Club at Almagordo, N.M., where he has been stationed for the past few months. He was widely known in Chattanooga, and was active in student activities at Central High School. His mother received the following telegram from the commanding officer at Almagordo: “I deeply regret to inform you of the death of your son, Capt. Herbert C. Davis, as a result of an airplane crash near Almagordo, N.M., Oct. 15. *** The officers and men of this command joine me in expressing our sincere sympathy.”
Capt. Davis is survived by his wife, Mrs. Bonnie Newberry Davis; his parents; two sisters, Mrs. Fred S. Payne and Miss Dorothy Davis, all of Chattanooga, and one brother, Pvt. James E. Davis of Fairmont Field, Neb.
- Rank: Captain
- Date of birth: 7 January 1918
- Date of death: 15 October 1944
- County: Hamilton
- Hometown: Chattanooga
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: Combat Crew Training Squadron
- Conflict: World War II
- Burial/Memorial Location: Chattanooga National Cemetery, Chattanooga, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar X, Middle Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Herbert C. Davis
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