|
 The information was compiled by Irene Brown, Chief,
Command Information, in the USMA Public Affairs Office:
Graveside services were held at the West Point Cemetery, for
U.S. Military Academy Class of 1939 graduate, retired General
Michael Shannon Davison. Davison died Sept. 7 of natural causes.
Davison served as commandant
here from 1963 to 1965. During his tenure, he made many changes
to the West Point experience including greater responsibility
for upperclassmen, an improved physical education program and
increased emphasis on leadership training
His Army career included a tour
of duty with the 45th Infantry Division in Italy during some
of the most intense and bitter fighting of World War II. He commanded
the 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment there through the
fighting of the Italian campaign and landing in southern France.
He was wounded twice and awarded both the Silver Star for gallantry
in action and the Bronze Star Medal with V device.
His last assignment was in 1971
as Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe, and concurrently as Commander, Central Army Group, NATO.
Following his retirement from
the Army in 1975, Davison served in several positions including
president of the USO, vice chairman of the Army and Air Force
Mutual Aid Association and a member of the International Security
Council advisory board.
Davison became president of the
Association of Graduates, USMA, in 1983 and served for six years,
longer than any other elected president. According to AOG, he
was directly responsible for a major expansion in private funds
raised for the benefit of the Military Academy and for a four-fold
increase in the number of active West Point Societies.
His decorations include the Distinguished
Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; the Legion of Merit
with oak leaf cluster; the Silver Star; the Bronze Star with
V for Valor and oak leaf cluster; the Air Medal with eight oak
leaf clusters; the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster; the French
Legion of Honor; the French Croix de Guerre; the German Grand
Cross of Merit; the Bavarian Grand Cross of Merit; and the Royal
Order of the King of Thailand, Knight First Class. He holds an
honorary degree of Doctor of Law from the University of Maryland
and is an honorary citizen of Meximieux, France.
Davison is survived by his wife,
Helen Davison; sons Michael S. Davison, Jr. and Donald Davison
and stepdaughters Penni Wells, Pamela Palerzzi and Sarah Devlin.
|