Mr. Garrett M. DavisCullum:25865 Class:'65 Cadet Company:E2 Date of Birth:September 23, 1942 Date of Death:April 22, 2023 - View or Post a Eulogy |
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Garrett Mark “Garry” Davis, a man defined by a quiet, relentless “determination to succeed,” passed away on April 22, 2023 in Tampa, FL. To his family, he was a devoted husband and father. To the nation, he was a decorated combat officer and federal agent. To the Long Gray Line, however, he remains the embodiment of the Class of 1965’s enduring spirit—a cadet who marched onto the Plain with a sense of duty and left it with a legacy of valor.
Born on September 23, 1942 in Philadelphia, PA to Dorothy and Leon Davis, Garry’s path to West Point was paved by a foundation of military discipline. In 1954, he began attending Valley Forge Military Academy, where the seeds of his leadership were first planted. Choosing West Point was a deliberate act of service for Garry; he sought to join a lineage of men dedicated to the nation’s defense during a pivotal era in American history.
Upon entering the Academy, Garry quickly established himself as a “model cadet.” He was a man of action rather than words, eventually serving on the plebe detail staff, where he helped shape the next generation of leaders with the same steady hand he would later use in combat. During his final two years, he was a stalwart member of Company E-2. In the “Easy Second,” Garry was known as a valued friend who never hesitated to help a classmate through a grueling academic load or the rigors of the physical departments. His Howitzer entry serves as a permanent testament to his character, noting that he had “never known the word ‘quit.’” This grit was not just an academic trait but a fundamental part of his character that would be tested in the jungles of Southeast Asia almost immediately upon graduation.
Commissioning into the Armor branch—a fit for his tactical mind and steady composure—Garry deployed to the Vietnam War in 1965. He served two tours from 1965 to 1967, first with the 25th Infantry Division and later with Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. As a captain in active combat, Garry led with the same quiet resolve he had shown on the Plain. His bravery was frequently recognized; he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with valor, the Army Commendation Medal with valor, and the Purple Heart. His citations often noted his “unwavering composure” and “disregard for his own safety” while directing his men under intense enemy engagement. Yet, amidst the intensity of war, Garry found a profound personal light: He met Hanh (Lan), the woman who would become his lifelong partner. They married in Thailand and eventually moved to Fort Dix, NJ, where Garry concluded his active-duty service in 1970.
The transition to civilian life did not end Garry’s service to the country; it merely changed the theater. In 1971, he joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a special agent, beginning a 27-year career during which he applied the tactical precision of an Armor officer to domestic justice. Living in the Washington, DC area, he and Lan raised their two children, Victoria and Mark, instilling in them the values of integrity and hard work. Even after his formal retirement in 1998, his expertise was so highly regarded that he continued to serve as a special investigator for another year.
What followed was a retirement that Garry’s classmates would describe as “unfettered.” Garry and Lan embraced a lifestyle of global exploration, relocating to Honolulu, HI and spending significant time living in Vietnam. They traveled extensively through Asia, with Garry acting as the consummate host. These years were filled with the things Garry loved most: sharp political debate, tracking the stock market, and the pursuit of the perfect chả giò (Vietnamese spring rolls). Despite his military bearing, he had a legendary sweet tooth, particularly for his wife’s homemade desserts, and a dry sense of humor that endeared him to everyone he met.
Throughout his life, Garry remained a West Pointer at heart, staying closely connected to his “Easy Second” brothers and the Class of 1965. He lived the motto “Duty, Honor, Country” not as a slogan, but as a lived reality. He is survived by his wife, Lan; his children, Victoria and Mark; his sister, Arleen Betaque; and his two grandchildren, Drew and Julie.
Garrett Davis lived his life in accordance with the highest ideals of the Academy. He was a soldier of valor, a dedicated servant of the law, and a man who found his greatest happiness in the simple joys of family and travel. As he joins the Long Gray Line in eternity, he leaves behind a world made safer by his service and a family made stronger by his love.
Well Done, Garry; Be Thou at Peace.
— The Davis Family
