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Courtesy photo. Cutline: Staff Sgt. Anthony D. Davis, 29, an Army Ranger and a Daytona Beach native, was killed Tuesday in Iraq.
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Jan. 7, 2008) — Staff Sgt. Anthony D. Davis, An Army Ranger serving with 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and a Daytona Beach native, died Tuesday while conducting combat operations in Northern Iraq. He was 29. Davis was killed during a direct-fire engagement by a heavily armed enemy combatant.
The enemy combatant was subsequently killed when he engaged the assault force. No other Rangers were injured.
“Staff Sergeant Davis leaves behind a legacy in the countless Rangers who he has trained, influenced and befriended through numerous years of service and multiple deployments with this Regiment,” said Col. Richard D. Clarke, 75th Ranger Regiment commander.
“Today our Nation mourns the loss of Staff Sergeant Anthony Davis,” said Lt. Col. Brian Mennes, 1st Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment commander. “A man who selflessly chose to serve his country during this tumultuous period in our nation’s history in a manner that is both honorable and respected. Staff Sergeant Davis died defending his nation fighting alongside his buddies, leaving behind hundreds of Rangers who called him their friend.”
Davis was in his sixth deployment in support of the War on Terror with three previous deployments to Iraq and two to Afghanistan. A native of Daytona Beach, Davis initially entered the Army on Oct. 10, 2000, assigned to Company C, 1st Bn., at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., July 3, 2001.
He served as a fire team leader with Co. C and a team leader with Headquarters and Headquarters Company. He earned his Ranger Tab when he completed U.S. Army Ranger Course at Fort Benning, 2002.
Davis is survived by his mother, Ellen Davis of Fayetteville, N.C.; his stepfather, Nelson Buckwald of Daytona Beach; sister, Staff Sgt. Nakischa Davis, Fayetteville, N.C.; and, niece, Ariana also of Fayetteville.
FAST FACTS:
# Staff Sgt. Anthony Dee Davis, 29, was a team leader assigned to 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield.He was born on Feb. 20, 1979, in Mainz, Germany. # He was killed during a direct fire engagement by a heavily armed enemy combatant in northern Iraq. The enemy combatant was subsequently killed when he engaged the assault force. # Davis was serving his sixth combat deployment. His previous deployments were to Afghanistan and Iraq.
# After graduating from Seabreeze High School in his hometown of Daytona Beach, Davis enlisted in the Army in October 2000. He completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning Ga., as an infantryman. After graduating from the Basic Airborne Course there, he was assigned to the Ranger Indoctrination Program also at Fort Benning.
# He graduated from the Ranger Indoctrination Program in June 2001 and was then assigned to Company C, 1st Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment in July 2001. He served there as a fire team leader and a team leader. # His military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Indoctrination Program, Warrior Leader Course, Combat Life Savers Course and the U.S. Army Ranger Course where he earned his Ranger Tab in 2002.
# Davis’ awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge and the Ranger Tab.