Georgetown County Native and Aircraft Maintenance Superintendent of the 354th at Myrtle Beach
By Melissa LaScaleia
This month’s history section commemorates U.S. Air Force veteran and South Carolina native, Jimmy E. Davis. There is a plague dedicated to him along Farrow Parkway, right by the intersection of Hendrick Avenue—between Hendrick and Howard. His plaque is one of many that are in close proximity on this block.
Jimmy E. Davis was born on June 1,1937, and grew up in nearby Georgetown County, South Carolina. He attended Winyah High School also in Georgetown. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U. S. Air Force and entered basic training.
Jimmy chose to pursue a career in aircraft maintenance, and enrolled in Jet Aircraft Mechanics School at Amarillo Air Force Base, Texas. He graduated in December, 1954. For the duration of his service with the U.S. Air Force, he stayed within the aircraft maintenance career field, a highly complex and demanding occupation.=
For his first operational assignment, he was sent to Europe, where he was stationed at Chaumont and Laon Air Bases in France, and at Bitburg Air Base, in Germany.
He played a large role in supporting the U.S. during the Vietnam War, by maintaining and repairing aircrafts. First he was sent to Korat Air Base, in Thailand, in 1964. He deployed with the first F-105D aircraft that had been sent to that Air Force base, to maintain it and other aircrafts.
In 1970, he was assigned to his nearby home, to the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base where he served as the NCO-In-Charge of Aircraft Quality Control. Later, he became an Aircraft Maintenance Superintendent in the organizational and flight line maintenance squadrons.
In 1972, he was sent a second time to aid America in Vietnam, again to Korat Air Base. This time, he maintained the A-7D aircraft of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, based at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. He served two additional tours to support America during the Vietnam War: both in Udorn Royal Air Base, Thailand.
Jimmy E. Davis was selected to be the Aircraft Maintenance Superintendent of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing. In this position, he achieved superior results, and showed himself to be an outstanding leader and manager. As a result he earned the rank of Chief Master Sergeant.
Chief Master Sergeant Jimmy E. Davis died in Surfside Beach, at the age of 78, on October 13, 2015.
