Missouri House Resolution honors Westphalia soldier

By Neal A. Johnson, UD Editor
Posted 3/10/21

Doug Davis of Westphalia was told that an announcement Tuesday, March 2, would take only a minute. However, when State Rep. Bruce Sassmann and Rep. Mike Haffner read a House Resolution honoring …

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Missouri House Resolution honors Westphalia soldier

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Doug Davis of Westphalia was told that an announcement Tuesday, March 2, would take only a minute. However, when State Rep. Bruce Sassmann and Rep. Mike Haffner read a House Resolution honoring Doug’s son, Luke, 26, the experience was overwhelming and took considerably longer than a minute.

“I was surprised,” Doug said. “There were a few announcements before ours, and the representatives clapped and then sat back in their chairs. When Representative Sassmann and Representative Haffner read ours, everyone was on their feet. They gave us a standing ovation and it was a very emotional experience.”

Doris Davis, Luke’s mother, agreed. “It was interesting how supportive everyone in the House was,” she said. “They really support our military and expressed their appreciation for what our son has achieved.”

What exactly was the achievement?

Aviation Electrician’s Mate-Second Class (AE2) Luke Davis, a 2013 graduate of Fatima High School, was recently a recipient of the 2020 Sailor of the Year award for the U.S. Navy by his squadron, the VAQ-142 Gray Wolves, after previously being recognized as the Sailor of the Quarter Award during his previous deployment on the USS Theodore Roosevelt when a COVID outbreak was reported on the ship. Davis reported for duty on shore and he and his team performed admirably, which led to the Sailor of the Quarter award for his leadership while preparing multiple planes several times a day so pilots could take their qualification tests.

“The commander told Luke that it should have taken three weeks, and the team got it done in a week and a half,” Doug said.

AE2 Davis is currently deployed on the USS Theodore Roosevelt off of Whidbey Island, Wash., and recently passed his Plane Captain boards, joining six other members operating on the “tip of the spear” as a forward-deployed combat squadron. That distinction was noted as his name and hometown were painted on the side of the military aircraft he manages.

His parents were told Tuesday that Luke had earned a meritorious promotion to E-6/First Class Petty Officer.

Rep. Sassmann said when he learned about Davis’s accomplishment and knew immediately he wanted to proceed with a courtesy House Resolution.

“We have Navy veterans serving on the House floor so I wanted this to be a special presentation,” said Sassmann. “It was truly a pleasure and an honor to join my colleagues in presenting Doris and Doug Davis, the parents of AE2 Davis, with a resolution and honoring both him and his family on the House floor. Davis’s service to his country is worthy of such merit, and it’s truly a wonderful moment to recognize his achievements to the nation. I commend him for his service to our country, our state, and his hometown.”

Sassmann added he didn’t realize the Davis family would get such an amazing reception. “It was a very emotional experience for the Davis family and me,” he added.

Rep. Haffner served as a Commander, with two deployments aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt and Rep. Mike O’Donnell, a Lt. Commander, worked with Sassmann to put this together. 

“Both of my colleagues served in the Navy so this was very close to home for them,” said Sassmann.

Doug and Doris said they were amazed and appreciative of the remarks made by Rep. Haffner during the presentation.

Rep. O’Donnell, meanwhile, presented the family with flags.

AE2 Davis joined the Navy right after graduation, reporting for basic training to Chicago. 

His parents credit their fathers for influencing Luke’s decision to serve in the military. Doug’s father told a lot of stories about his service in the US Air Force when his responsibility was guarding nuclear weapons as an air police officer. Doris noted that her father served in the Korean War, during which he earned two Purple Hearts, and recently received a Silver Star.

“I’m sure they both played a role in Luke’s career decision,” Doug said. “We’re proud of him for serving his country.”

Following basic training, AE2 Davis was assigned to China Lake, Calif., a base in the Mojave Desert, where he earned his first Sailor of the Quarter honor. From there, he went to Guam and then to Whidbey Island, Wash.

As parents, Doug and Doris have had their share of worry, particularly when the COVID outbreak occurred aboard Luke’s ship.

“He was very lucky,” Doris said. “There are 5,000 people on that ship and about a quarter of them got COVID but Luke never got it.”

While deployed, Luke had been berthed in a room with 17 other sailors but during the outbreak, he spent three weeks quarantined in a hotel in Guam.

“It was quite a bit different,” Doug said.

Currently, AE2 Davis is deployed but his parents don’t know where, and that’s okay.

“I’m good with it,” Doug said. “I am confident he will be safe and that he’s in good hands with the Navy.”

Doris added that for her it’s a matter of belief. “I don’t need to talk to him every day,” she said. “I have faith that he’s going to be okay. I just have to give it to God and believe that everything will be okay.”

They understand that for Luke, the Navy is his career choice. “He wants to do this until he retires,” Doug said.

“He’s consistent with his enthusiasm,” Doris added. “He’s very dedicated to the Navy.”