Initiative looks to bring local veteran’s remains back to Lubbock

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Lt. Col. George A. Davis Jr. enlisted in the U.S. Army here in Lubbock back in 1942. A highly decorated pilot, he served in World War II and the Korean War, becoming one of seven U.S. pilots ever to become an ace in two different wars.

After his death in 1952, however, his body was never recovered. There's a plot at the Lubbock cemetery for Davis, but now there's a push to bring his remains back to Lubbock.

"His body was never recovered because the Chinese, they went and were able to recover his dog tags and his remains, whatever was left," Lubbock VFW Commander Sarah Weede said. "We're not exactly sure how much is left, but we know that they have it and they have it on display at one of their museums."

Born in Dublin, Texas, in 1920, Davis later graduated from Morton High School and went on to secure seven victories in World War II and 14 in the Korean War.

He was shot down in northwestern North Korea on Feb. 10, 1952. More than 70 years later, the Lubbock community and his family still don't have him home.

That's where Weede comes in. When she moved back to Lubbock two years ago, she learned about Davis' story. When she became the Lubbock VFW commander earlier this year, she felt it was time to push this issue forward.

"We started an initiative, Operation Bring Him Home, on Sept. 20, which is POW/MIA (Recognition) Day. We signed letters to Jodey Arrington's office and we're going to be sending letters to everyone that we can think of to start urging them, members of office, to start making some headway with this," she said.

The website returnourhero.org was created with a petition. The goal is to receive as many signatures as possible to bring to legislators.

The hope is to bring him home in time for the opening of the West Texas State Veterans Cemetery next year, where he will be the first veteran buried.

"We want his body returned," Weede said. "We want to have him buried in a distinguished manner and the honor that he deserves. We want some closure for his family because his son still lives here in Lubbock and for so many years, his dad has never returned. One thing that was drilled into us when I was in the military is it doesn't matter what branch you are, you don't leave anyone behind."

With the posthumous promotion from Major to Lt. Col. and a Medal of Honor to his name, the hope is to bring this war hero back to the 806.

"Knowing where he is or at least having an idea of where he is, and that we don't have him here with us, it's something that enrages us," Weede said. "It's something that saddens us and we're not going to stop until we get him home."

Anyone that would like to sign the petition, can visit the Return Our Hero website . Once signed, a confirmation email will be sent that needs to be approved in order for the signature to count.