In Loving Memory of
Army Air Corps 2nd Lieutenant
Quentin Lyle Davidson
Bristol, South Dakota
Day County
November 15, 1920 --November 30, 1944
Killed in Action over Merseburg, Germany
Quentin Lyle Davidson was born on November 15, 1920, in Bristol, South Dakota, to Nellie and D.J. Davidson. The youngest of four children, Quentin had two brothers: Maurice and Vince, and one sister, Dolores. He graduated from Bristol Public School in 1938 and then attended the University of South Dakota. He enjoyed cars, motorcycles, horses, dancing, singing, playing saxophone, watching basketball games, and being a member of Bristol Masonic Lodge. Quentin was fun-loving and everyone liked him. His pony was named “Bobby” and his favorite dessert was tapioca pudding. He often gave his friends thrilling rides on his motorcycle. His niece Marlys spent much time with him since she was only five years younger. One time he took her on a Ferris wheel; she remembers feeling safe with him. His high school friends Marcella Johnson and Everett Morehouse remember him as being brave and fearless.
In September of 1941, he went to Seattle, Washington, where he worked at the Boeing Aircraft Factory until June of 1942. From there, he came home and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. His family employed him in the family business of Davidson Oil Co. until he was called to service in 1943.
He was trained in Santa Ana, California, and then went to Thunderbird and Marana Air Fields, both of which are in Arizona. From there, he went to Randolph Field, Texas and Lincoln, Nebraska. His friends in the service fondly called him “Dave.” In August of 1944, Lt. Davidson came home for a brief furlough. During this time, he married Rachel Mary Smith of Bancroft, NE. She remembers him as being witty and full of life. He was sent overseas on September 1, 1944, and stationed in England. Lt. Davidson was in the Eighth Air Force and flew in seventeen missions as a co-pilot on a B-17 Bomber. His plane was named “The Joker.”
On November 30, 1944, Lieutenant Quentin Lyle Davidson was assigned to his seventeenth mission in Merseburg, Germany. It was on this mission that he gave his life for our country. While on this mission, the bombers all flew over a haze, and a strong tailwind created a situation in which the lead plane went off course with all other planes following. While flying off course, seven planes were shot down because they flew over heavy fire. Because of the wounded on board, Lt. Davidson and the pilot decided to try to land the plane. The crew members who were unharmed parachuted to the ground and lived. The pilots and wounded were killed because their own bombs, which couldn’t be released, exploded upon impact.
Lt. Davidson was first buried in Germany, and then his body was moved to France. Four years later, the body was again moved to the Bristol Cemetery. He was awarded the Air Medal, two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart.
Quentin is survived by his widow, Rachel Anderson, Prairie Farm, Wisconsin; one sister, Dolores Friberg, Webster, South Dakota; two nephews, Don Friberg of Portland, Oregon, and Richard Quentin Davidson of Slayton, Minnesota; and two nieces Marlys Ripperger of Escondido, California, and Kay Fischer of Aberdeen, South Dakota.
His life was taken too soon; the family members who knew him have many fond memories of him. He will always remain young in their hearts.
This entry was respectfully submitted by Shannon Herr, Junior, Waubay High School, Waubay, South Dakota. Information for this entry was provided by Kay Fischer, Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Fallen Son & Daughters Profiles - vetaffairs.sd.gov
http://vetaffairs.sd.gov/sdwwiimemorial/SubPages/profiles/Display.asp?P=415
There are also photos.
[Submitted by In memory of Scott (#46776086)]
Army Air Corps 2nd Lieutenant
Quentin Lyle Davidson
Bristol, South Dakota
Day County
November 15, 1920 --November 30, 1944
Killed in Action over Merseburg, Germany
Quentin Lyle Davidson was born on November 15, 1920, in Bristol, South Dakota, to Nellie and D.J. Davidson. The youngest of four children, Quentin had two brothers: Maurice and Vince, and one sister, Dolores. He graduated from Bristol Public School in 1938 and then attended the University of South Dakota. He enjoyed cars, motorcycles, horses, dancing, singing, playing saxophone, watching basketball games, and being a member of Bristol Masonic Lodge. Quentin was fun-loving and everyone liked him. His pony was named “Bobby” and his favorite dessert was tapioca pudding. He often gave his friends thrilling rides on his motorcycle. His niece Marlys spent much time with him since she was only five years younger. One time he took her on a Ferris wheel; she remembers feeling safe with him. His high school friends Marcella Johnson and Everett Morehouse remember him as being brave and fearless.
In September of 1941, he went to Seattle, Washington, where he worked at the Boeing Aircraft Factory until June of 1942. From there, he came home and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. His family employed him in the family business of Davidson Oil Co. until he was called to service in 1943.
He was trained in Santa Ana, California, and then went to Thunderbird and Marana Air Fields, both of which are in Arizona. From there, he went to Randolph Field, Texas and Lincoln, Nebraska. His friends in the service fondly called him “Dave.” In August of 1944, Lt. Davidson came home for a brief furlough. During this time, he married Rachel Mary Smith of Bancroft, NE. She remembers him as being witty and full of life. He was sent overseas on September 1, 1944, and stationed in England. Lt. Davidson was in the Eighth Air Force and flew in seventeen missions as a co-pilot on a B-17 Bomber. His plane was named “The Joker.”
On November 30, 1944, Lieutenant Quentin Lyle Davidson was assigned to his seventeenth mission in Merseburg, Germany. It was on this mission that he gave his life for our country. While on this mission, the bombers all flew over a haze, and a strong tailwind created a situation in which the lead plane went off course with all other planes following. While flying off course, seven planes were shot down because they flew over heavy fire. Because of the wounded on board, Lt. Davidson and the pilot decided to try to land the plane. The crew members who were unharmed parachuted to the ground and lived. The pilots and wounded were killed because their own bombs, which couldn’t be released, exploded upon impact.
Lt. Davidson was first buried in Germany, and then his body was moved to France. Four years later, the body was again moved to the Bristol Cemetery. He was awarded the Air Medal, two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart.
Quentin is survived by his widow, Rachel Anderson, Prairie Farm, Wisconsin; one sister, Dolores Friberg, Webster, South Dakota; two nephews, Don Friberg of Portland, Oregon, and Richard Quentin Davidson of Slayton, Minnesota; and two nieces Marlys Ripperger of Escondido, California, and Kay Fischer of Aberdeen, South Dakota.
His life was taken too soon; the family members who knew him have many fond memories of him. He will always remain young in their hearts.
This entry was respectfully submitted by Shannon Herr, Junior, Waubay High School, Waubay, South Dakota. Information for this entry was provided by Kay Fischer, Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Fallen Son & Daughters Profiles - vetaffairs.sd.gov
http://vetaffairs.sd.gov/sdwwiimemorial/SubPages/profiles/Display.asp?P=415
There are also photos.
[Submitted by In memory of Scott (#46776086)]
In Loving Memory of
Army Air Corps 2nd Lieutenant
Quentin Lyle Davidson
Bristol, South Dakota
Day County
November 15, 1920 --November 30, 1944
Killed in Action over Merseburg, Germany
Quentin Lyle Davidson was born on November 15, 1920, in Bristol, South Dakota, to Nellie and D.J. Davidson. The youngest of four children, Quentin had two brothers: Maurice and Vince, and one sister, Dolores. He graduated from Bristol Public School in 1938 and then attended the University of South Dakota. He enjoyed cars, motorcycles, horses, dancing, singing, playing saxophone, watching basketball games, and being a member of Bristol Masonic Lodge. Quentin was fun-loving and everyone liked him. His pony was named “Bobby” and his favorite dessert was tapioca pudding. He often gave his friends thrilling rides on his motorcycle. His niece Marlys spent much time with him since she was only five years younger. One time he took her on a Ferris wheel; she remembers feeling safe with him. His high school friends Marcella Johnson and Everett Morehouse remember him as being brave and fearless.
In September of 1941, he went to Seattle, Washington, where he worked at the Boeing Aircraft Factory until June of 1942. From there, he came home and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. His family employed him in the family business of Davidson Oil Co. until he was called to service in 1943.
He was trained in Santa Ana, California, and then went to Thunderbird and Marana Air Fields, both of which are in Arizona. From there, he went to Randolph Field, Texas and Lincoln, Nebraska. His friends in the service fondly called him “Dave.” In August of 1944, Lt. Davidson came home for a brief furlough. During this time, he married Rachel Mary Smith of Bancroft, NE. She remembers him as being witty and full of life. He was sent overseas on September 1, 1944, and stationed in England. Lt. Davidson was in the Eighth Air Force and flew in seventeen missions as a co-pilot on a B-17 Bomber. His plane was named “The Joker.”
On November 30, 1944, Lieutenant Quentin Lyle Davidson was assigned to his seventeenth mission in Merseburg, Germany. It was on this mission that he gave his life for our country. While on this mission, the bombers all flew over a haze, and a strong tailwind created a situation in which the lead plane went off course with all other planes following. While flying off course, seven planes were shot down because they flew over heavy fire. Because of the wounded on board, Lt. Davidson and the pilot decided to try to land the plane. The crew members who were unharmed parachuted to the ground and lived. The pilots and wounded were killed because their own bombs, which couldn’t be released, exploded upon impact.
Lt. Davidson was first buried in Germany, and then his body was moved to France. Four years later, the body was again moved to the Bristol Cemetery. He was awarded the Air Medal, two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart.
Quentin is survived by his widow, Rachel Anderson, Prairie Farm, Wisconsin; one sister, Dolores Friberg, Webster, South Dakota; two nephews, Don Friberg of Portland, Oregon, and Richard Quentin Davidson of Slayton, Minnesota; and two nieces Marlys Ripperger of Escondido, California, and Kay Fischer of Aberdeen, South Dakota.
His life was taken too soon; the family members who knew him have many fond memories of him. He will always remain young in their hearts.
This entry was respectfully submitted by Shannon Herr, Junior, Waubay High School, Waubay, South Dakota. Information for this entry was provided by Kay Fischer, Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Fallen Son & Daughters Profiles - vetaffairs.sd.gov
http://vetaffairs.sd.gov/sdwwiimemorial/SubPages/profiles/Display.asp?P=415
There are also photos.
[Submitted by In memory of Scott (#46776086)]
Army Air Corps 2nd Lieutenant
Quentin Lyle Davidson
Bristol, South Dakota
Day County
November 15, 1920 --November 30, 1944
Killed in Action over Merseburg, Germany
Quentin Lyle Davidson was born on November 15, 1920, in Bristol, South Dakota, to Nellie and D.J. Davidson. The youngest of four children, Quentin had two brothers: Maurice and Vince, and one sister, Dolores. He graduated from Bristol Public School in 1938 and then attended the University of South Dakota. He enjoyed cars, motorcycles, horses, dancing, singing, playing saxophone, watching basketball games, and being a member of Bristol Masonic Lodge. Quentin was fun-loving and everyone liked him. His pony was named “Bobby” and his favorite dessert was tapioca pudding. He often gave his friends thrilling rides on his motorcycle. His niece Marlys spent much time with him since she was only five years younger. One time he took her on a Ferris wheel; she remembers feeling safe with him. His high school friends Marcella Johnson and Everett Morehouse remember him as being brave and fearless.
In September of 1941, he went to Seattle, Washington, where he worked at the Boeing Aircraft Factory until June of 1942. From there, he came home and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. His family employed him in the family business of Davidson Oil Co. until he was called to service in 1943.
He was trained in Santa Ana, California, and then went to Thunderbird and Marana Air Fields, both of which are in Arizona. From there, he went to Randolph Field, Texas and Lincoln, Nebraska. His friends in the service fondly called him “Dave.” In August of 1944, Lt. Davidson came home for a brief furlough. During this time, he married Rachel Mary Smith of Bancroft, NE. She remembers him as being witty and full of life. He was sent overseas on September 1, 1944, and stationed in England. Lt. Davidson was in the Eighth Air Force and flew in seventeen missions as a co-pilot on a B-17 Bomber. His plane was named “The Joker.”
On November 30, 1944, Lieutenant Quentin Lyle Davidson was assigned to his seventeenth mission in Merseburg, Germany. It was on this mission that he gave his life for our country. While on this mission, the bombers all flew over a haze, and a strong tailwind created a situation in which the lead plane went off course with all other planes following. While flying off course, seven planes were shot down because they flew over heavy fire. Because of the wounded on board, Lt. Davidson and the pilot decided to try to land the plane. The crew members who were unharmed parachuted to the ground and lived. The pilots and wounded were killed because their own bombs, which couldn’t be released, exploded upon impact.
Lt. Davidson was first buried in Germany, and then his body was moved to France. Four years later, the body was again moved to the Bristol Cemetery. He was awarded the Air Medal, two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart.
Quentin is survived by his widow, Rachel Anderson, Prairie Farm, Wisconsin; one sister, Dolores Friberg, Webster, South Dakota; two nephews, Don Friberg of Portland, Oregon, and Richard Quentin Davidson of Slayton, Minnesota; and two nieces Marlys Ripperger of Escondido, California, and Kay Fischer of Aberdeen, South Dakota.
His life was taken too soon; the family members who knew him have many fond memories of him. He will always remain young in their hearts.
This entry was respectfully submitted by Shannon Herr, Junior, Waubay High School, Waubay, South Dakota. Information for this entry was provided by Kay Fischer, Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Fallen Son & Daughters Profiles - vetaffairs.sd.gov
http://vetaffairs.sd.gov/sdwwiimemorial/SubPages/profiles/Display.asp?P=415
There are also photos.
[Submitted by In memory of Scott (#46776086)]
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