Skydiving to Salute – Iwo Jima Marines

Donald Davis

Donald Davis

Donald Davis

Colonel, USMC (R)

Colonel Davis was born on February 24, 1968 in Dover, New Jersey. He graduated from Dover High School in June 1986; subsequently attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York; received the Bachelor of Science degree/ Management; was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in May 1990.

Upon completion of Basic school, he was temporarily assigned as supply officer (rear) Headquarters Battalion, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, from January 1991 to March 1991. He then attended Ground Supply Officer’s Course 1-91, graduating in June 1991, with subsequent assignment to 1st Battalion, 2d Marines, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune. He served with 1/2 from June 1991 to February 1994 as the Battalion Supply Officer. While with 1/2, he deployed with the Unit Deployment Program and with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). From February 1994 to March 1996, 1stLt Davis served as the Supply Officer, Marine Corps Engineer School, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune. Captain Davis then deployed overseas as the Supply Officer, Combat Service Support Detachment 36, Iwakuni, Japan, serving from March 1996 to June 1999. During his tour he was selected to attend the Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, VA; he graduated in May 2000.From May 2000 to August 2002, Major Davis was assigned to Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, VA, serving in a variety of command and staff billets. He served as the Commanding Officer of Training and Education Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, from May 2000 to August 2001; as a liaison officer for the Interservice Training Branch, Training Command; and as the Staff Secretary for Training Command. Before assignment to Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Class of 2003, he was assigned as Commanding Officer, Echo Company, Officer Candidate School. Upon completion of Command and Staff College, Major Davis assumed command of Combat Service Support Detachment 21, 2nd Force Service Support Group, Cherry Point, NC, from July 2003 to July 2005. He then assumed duties as the Material Readiness Officer for II Marine Expeditionary Force and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF 04-06.2). In June 2006, LtCol Davis assumed command of 2d Supply Battalion, 2d Marine Logistics Group, Camp Lejeune, NC serving through May 2008. During this period, he deployed with the battalion to Iraq as the general support logistics battalion for OIF 06-08. Following Command, LtCol Davis was assigned to Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps as the Branch Head for the Plans and Programs Section of Manpower Management Officer Assignments. During this tour he was selected to attend the Marine Corps War College, Quantico VA, graduating in June 2011. He then assumed duties as the Operations Director for Marine Corps Logistics Command and deployed to Afghanistan as the Commanding Officer for Marine Corps Logistics Command Forward. Upon return in 2012, Colonel Davis assumed command of Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany Georgia where he served for three years. After relinquishing command, he assumed duties as the J53 Chief of NORAD-NORTHCOM Theater Strategy and Campaign Plans Division serving until his retirement in July of 2017. He is currently serving as the Jefferson County Manager. Colonel Davis is a graduate of the Advanced Logistics Officers Course and the Marine Corps Logistics Education Program at Penn State. He holds two Master’s Degrees; one in Public Administration from Webster University, graduating with high honors in March 1996 and a second Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the Marine Corps War College. His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with three stars, Navy Commendation Medal with one star, Navy Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation with one star , Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with one star, National Defense Service Medal with one star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with four stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with seven stars, United Nations Medal, NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. Colonel Davis retired July 1st, 2017 and has continued to serve in Colorado local government as the Jefferson County Manager from 2017-2022 and is presently the Deputy City and County Manager of Broomfield. He has been married to his wife Becky for 33 years, and they have been blessed with four children and one grandson.