Dr. Marvin Ralph Davis received his commission through the Gulf Coast Aviation Cadet Program graduating in the Class of 44A at Ellington Field at Houston, Texas in AT-10 aircraft with B-24 transition at Tarrant Field, Ft. Worth, Texas. Lt Davis went through Combat Crew Training at Boise, Idaho and flew his B-24 to Ireland where he was then assigned to the 467th Bombardment Group (H) at Rackheath, England. 1st Lt. Davis flew 35 combat missions and was awarded an Air Medal with a silver cluster, the Distinguish Flying Cross and the French Jubilee Liberty Medal and five battle stars on his European Theater and Africa EAME Medal and others.

Capt. Davis was called back to active duty for two years during the Korean War and was Chief of Production and Production Test Pilot in the Plant Representative Office at North American Aviation, Inc. He was released from active duty on the 17 of April 1953. He remain in the reserves until retirement on May 1, 1963, he was retired at the rank of Major.

Dr. Davis worked in Systems Management for the Air Force Systems Command at Wright Patterson AF Base, Ohio for 32 years and retired on 30 June 1986 at the position of Assistant Program Director, Fighter Attack System Program Office with 37 year’s service. During his time at Wright-Patterson he initiated and managed such programs as the first zero to zero ejection seat for the F-106 aircraft, the first digital radar land mass trainer for Navigation Training combined with a T-43 aircraft and he directed such additional programs as the F-101, F102, F-104, F-106, C-130, KC-135, B-52, B-58, MB-1 Rocket, Gar Missiles including the Gar-11 Nuclear Guided Missile, Helicopter programs and numerous other programs throughout his career.

Dr. Davis received his bachelor degree from the University of Cincinnati in Mechanical Engineering in 1949, his ME degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1955, his MSc degree in Industrial Engineering from Ohio State University in 1961 and his PhD from the University of Columbia Pacific in 1981. He is a Life Member in the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, the Mighty Eighth Air Force Association, the Second Air Division Association, and the 467th Bombardment Group Association, LTD.