To our VII Corps TEAMMMATES: It is my deep regret to inform you that our VII Corps Chaplain, Chaplain (COL, USA Retired) Daniel O. Davis passed away on Christmas Day 2023. Chaplain Davis was an incredible leader and a valuable member of the VII Corps TEAM during OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. His ability to provide pastoral care across the entire VII Corps Area of Operations was inspirational to us all. His role in enhancing the emotional, social, and spiritual care of our Soldiers was a combat multiplier and had a significant role in our success in SWA. After our return to Germany, Dan officiated our very first Memorial Ceremony, on Memorial Day 1991, honoring the 111 brave VII Corps Soldiers who gave “the last full measure of devotion.” This is a practice we continue to this day in conjunction with our annual reunion weekends where the names of the 111 Soldiers’ names are called, as part of our commitment to “never forget” their courageous sacrifice to our Nation and to uphold the concept of “never leaving a fallen comrade” as stated in our Soldiers Creed. I personally valued his extraordinary commitment and ministry to our Soldiers and leaders across the Corps and the valuable advice and judgment he provided me as Commander. Dan truly set the standard as a combat chaplain. Please see the tribute to Dan below written by Chaplain (COL, USA Retired) Dave O’Connell; our VII Corps DSVA Chaplain and a dear friend of Dan’s. Please keep Dan and his family in your thoughts and prayers; God Bless this tremendous servant of God!
JAYHAWK!
Frederick M. Franks, Jr.
GEN, USA Retired
Chairman, VII Corps DSVA
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Chaplain (COL) Daniel O. Davis
I was privileged to have known and ministered with Dan since 1979 when we were both assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and then later with the VII Corps at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany. While there we deployed to OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM; Dan as the VII Corps Chaplain and I as a Deputy Corps Chaplain. Dan was a wonderful Minister; he loved the God about whom he spoke so meaningfully, spiritually, and eloquently about. He lived the Gospel he preached, made it come alive, and spoke often about the “Living God.” Dan’s congregation was an unusual parish, the parishioners being United States Army Soldiers. He spent his Ministry serving Soldiers and their Families. Dan cared for them and their welfare as deeply as he did their spiritual well-being. You see, those of us who worked with him knew that he was a genuine man of God. Dan was happiest when asked to speak at prayer breakfasts and loved being with Soldiers as such occasions gave him the opportunity to preach the word of God. He was a gifted storyteller, a gift he used to perfection. He was a good friend to me and a pleasure to work with especially during Desert Storm. He lived a great long life. On Christmas Day, the God whom he loved and served so faithfully called Dan home to be united with Jenny whom he had missed so since her death earlier this year. Dan was laid to rest on 6 January 2024 with full military honors, at Mandarin Cemetery, in Jacksonville, FL. Sleep well good and faithful servant.
David O’Connell
COL, USA Retired
Chaplain, VII Corps DSVA
