THROUGH
MOUNTAIN MISTS
Early Settlers of
Their
Descendants...Their Stories...Their Achievements
Lifting the
Mists of History on Their Way of Life
By: Ethelene Dyer Jones
When James Leon Davenport, the
first child
of John Prescott Davenport (better known as Press) and Ethel Lee
Souther
Davenport was born on
Did he play soldier as a little
boy,
dreaming that some day he would wear the uniform of his country and
face the
enemy bravely? When he volunteered for
the US Army in 1945, he was destined for a career in service, one that
would
lead him to many places in the world and from which he would retire as
one of
the most-decorated soldiers from
A Gallant
Soldier
(In
tribute
to Major James Leon Davenport.
Retired,
24th
Infantry Division and 3rd Infantry Division, US Army
by
Charles
Waymon Cook)
A
gallant
soldier from the hills
With
valor
demonstrated;
When
He
never
hesitated.
Twenty-one
years in three tough wars
He
fought
for liberty;
While
decorated many times,
He
wore
humility.
Commissioned
on the battlefield
For
bravery
sublime,
He
risked
his life for other men
When
he was
in his prime.
Our
country
owes its gratitude
For
services
well done;
He
gave the
best one man could give
With
earthly
battles won.
In
quietude
his pace has slowed
As
age and
time drift in;
Let’s
not
forget this gentle giant—
A
soldier
and a friend.
I
am grateful to Charles Waymon Cook, poet, who ably captured the life
and spirit
of brave soldier Major James Leon Davenport in his poem, “Gallant
Soldier.” More of his poems can be read
in his recently-published book entitled Beyond
the Mountain Haze.
But
this salute is to the soldier, Major James Leon Davenport.
His military career, spanning twenty-one
years, saw him volunteering for the infantry as a private as World War
II was
coming to a close in 1945. During his
career, he served 131 months overseas in various locations. He was in the
From private to major, he worked
through
the ranks, serving admirably as a rifleman, in a tanker, as a platoon
leader,
as company commander, and as his battalion’s executive officer. During those years, he practiced fairness and
soldierly conduct, admired and emulated by those who needed a role
model for
their own military service.
On five occasions he was
decorated for
heroism. Three Silver Stars are among
his medals, as are the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Bronze
Star with
victory medallion, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Combat Infantry
Badge, and
others. You do not hear of his
decorations from him. Ever humble and
grateful that he had opportunity to serve his country, he is the last
to talk
about or ever boast of how his country recognized his service. But we are beginning to find out, and we
gladly salute Major James Leon Davenport.
After his first ten years in the
Army, he
came back to Blairsville in 1955, but then in 1961 he was recalled to
active
duty during the Berlin Crisis. He spent
eleven more years serving his country until he retired in August of
1972. Toward the end of his service
career, he was
Inspector General of Fort Knox, Kentucky.
His retirement from active
military service
did not bring an end to Major Davenport’s career. Recognizing
his leadership and administrative
skills, the Board chose him to became CEO of the new and struggling
Active in his church and
community, Leon
Davenport is citizen, patriot, family man and friend.
He comes from a long line of solid citizens
whose ancestors both paternally and maternally go back to the
James Leon Davenport and Barbara
Hooper
Twiggs were married
For his service to country and
community,
and for his firmly held family and spiritual values that continue to
make our
country a leader among nations, we salute Major James Leon Davenport!
[Ethelene Dyer
Jones is a retired educator,
freelance writer, poet, and historian. She may be reached at
e-mail [email protected];
phone 478-453-8751; or mail 1708 Cedarwood Road, Milledgeville, GA
31061-2411.]
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