Leighton I. Davis

Leighton I. Davis
Born February 10, 1910(1910-02-10)
Sparta, Wisconsin
Died May 6, 1995(1995-05-06) (aged 85)
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Air Force
Rank Lieutenant General

Leighton Ira Davis (February 10, 1910 – May 6, 1995) was a Lieutenant General in the United States Air Force.

Biography

Davis was born Leighton Ira Davis in Sparta, Wisconsin in 1910.[1] He would graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and later receive honorary doctorates from New Mexico State University and Brevard Engineering College. Davis died on May 6, 1995.

Career

Davis graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1935. In 1939 he became an instructor at the United States Military Academy. Later he served as Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology. In 1954 he was assigned to Holloman Air Force Base before serving with the Air Research and Development Command. He would go on to support Project Mercury. Later he was assigned to Patrick Air Force Base and Andrews Air Force Base. His retirement was effective as of August 1, 1968.

Awards he received include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, and the NASA Space Flight Medal.

References