Dedicated to the memory of

James T. Davis

U. S. Army Security Agency

Livingston, TN

3rd RRU - Saigon, Viet Nam


These signs are the front and back of the first picture below

	The eternal flame burns at the war memorial located at the Overton County Courthouse.
	James T. Davis Memorial at the Overton County Courthouse
	Tom Davis Memorial Stadium
	The football stadium at Livingston Academy High School

Email I received from Steve Womack on Jan 9, 2002:

Harlan, Hal Castle suggested I drop you a note. I do not yet have a scanner for my computer and just recently read the info on some of the ASA websites about James T. Davis. I saw where he was from Livingston, Tennessee which is a town I drive thru on a regular basis. I grabbed my phone book for that area and got the number for SPECK Funeral Home in Livingston. Speck's handled his services many years ago and they were able to give me the directions to the GOOD HOPE CEMETERY where he is buried. When I was there last week, I had my camera and a small American Flag. Got a few photos, and got the flag planted. I figure it was the least I could do for one of our brothers. On the back of the sign where one enters the cemetery was a statement about GOOD HOPE CEMETERY TRUST and info about a local Bank.

I telephoned the bank this morning to inquire about the TRUST Department, and when the lady I was speaking with inquired as to why I was asking, I explained about Davis being buried there. She told me that she was his sister-in-law, that her sister was married to Davis, and that his brother William Davis worked at the bank until last year when he retired. I did tell her that James T. Davis was not forgotten. She told me that there is a plaque in the courthouse listing the war dead, but no other commemorative markers. Now, what I need is to send the photos somewhere so they can be scanned, and an appropriate place be found for them. I figure that this the least that I can do, and will also be back thru Livingston next Wednesday

Note from Steve packaged with photos:

Harlan, I phoned the Union Bank and Trust in Livingston, TN at 931-823-1247 to inquire about the GOOD HOPE CEMETERY TRUST. And the lady in that department asked me why I was inquiring, when I told her about James T. Davis, she told me that Davis was her brother-in-law. Her sister was married to him, and that Davis's brother Bill had worked at that bank until he retired last year. I think the woman's name was Novene Stockton, but I will check for sure on my next visit to Livingston. She told me that there was a marker at the courthouse too.

I was back in Livingston last Wednesday (Jan 16, 2002) only to find out that they roll up the sidewalks in that town on noon on Wednesday, so that they can be open on Saturday morning I would assume. The marker at the Courthouse has Davis's face etched in the stone on a marker saying he was the first killed in Viet Nam. On my next trip back it will be on a Thursday so hopefully I can get to the bank when it is open, and I will also get a photo of the marker at the courthouse.

When I went to the cemetery, the flag I had placed on Davis's military marker had been moved to his fathers' marker. I figured that I would just leave it there. It fit rather nicely I thought.

I am just the guy who runs the road and often carries a camera. Feel free to post whichever of these you like. I figure this is the least that I can do.

Memorial Day 2012

Each Memorial Day in recent years, the Association’s Board of Directors has authorized an expenditure of approximately $100 to purchase a wreath for the James Thomas Davis gravesite in Livingston, Tennessee.

The Davis family has chosen to place the wreath at the flagpole erected by our Association and dedicated during our visit to Livingston during our 2006 Nashville reunion.

That tradition was continued in 2012. The wreath was placed by Tom’s sister Janie and his sister-in-law Faye, the widow of Tom’s brother Bill. (See attached photo.)

Last year (2011) was the 50th anniversary of Tom’s death and was marked by a number of tributes, including a VFW magazine article entitled “50th Anniversary: First U.S. KIA in Vietnam,” which mentioned our tradition of placing a wreath at his gravesite on Memorial Day.

Thank you for your continued support of this tribute to the first of our fallen brothers.

Gary Spivey

Memorial Day 2011

Each Memorial Day in recent years, the Association’s Board of Directors has authorized an expenditure to purchase a wreath for the James Thomas Davis gravesite in Livingston, Tennessee. Usually, the Davis family has chosen to place the wreath at the flagpole erected by our Association and dedicated during our visit to Livingston during our 2006 Nashville reunion. That tradition was continued in 2011.

Tom's sister-in- law, Faye Davis (widow of Tom's brother Bill) sends this message:

"Thanks for the beautiful flowers. You are all special folks."

Thanks to our members for their support of this tribute to the first of our fallen brothers.

Gary Spivey

Memorial Day 2010

Bill Davis at the Tom Davis Memorial with the wreath that our association sent on Memorial Day. He and the Davis family were very appreciative.

Gary Spivey