Davis, Robert Roy, SGT

Casualty Occurrence:  This soldier was killed by multiple fragmentation wounds during a mortar/rocket attack in Thua Thein Province, during Operation Randolph Glen. .

Funeral services for Sergt. Robert Roy Davis will he held at 10:30 Saturday morning at the Forest City United Methodist church. The Rev. Max E. Goldman will officiate assisted by Bernard Bliss, minister of the Fertile Church of Christ, and Father E.W. Lechtenberg of Buffalo Center. Frank Johnson, a classmate at Forest City high school, will be the soloist and Mrs. Lloyd Thorsheim, organist. Burial will be in Oakland cemetery with the Olson funeral home in charge of arrangements. According to Capt. Dennis Lewis of Ames, ranking military advisor for Iowa, a detachment of 13 men is being sent to Forest City Friday from the Headquarters company of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to serve as an honor guard for the funeral services.

Military honors paid Sgt. Robert Davis Saturday. Forest City paid final tribute last Saturday to the memory of Sgt. Robert R. Davis, killed in action in Vietnam Feb. 11. In silent homage the post office flag stood at half mast and others flew along both sides of Clark Street. An honor guard of thirteen soldiers from the Headquarters Company at Ft. Leavenworth, Kans. took part in the funeral and graveside rites; smart, dignified and meticulous in the performance of military honors during the service. The Methodist church was filled to capacity with the family and friends of young Davis, known and loved by so many. Sgt. Davis was born Sept. 23, 1948 in Forest City, the son of Helen and Delton Davis. He was educated in the Fertile and Forest City schools and was a member of the Fertile Church of Christ.

For the last ten years his home had been in Forest City where he was active in the Methodist Youth Fellowship of the local United Methodist church. He was an enthusiastic member of varsity sports in high school and a popular student. On March 30, 1968 he was married to Mary Margaret Langerud and they are parents of one son, Thomas Patrick. Sgt. Davis attended NIAC College at Mason City and the Electronic Computer Programming Institute. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Nov. 23, 1968 and received basic training at Ft. Polk, La. He completed advanced training at Ft. Polk, Calif., Nov. 25, 1969, He later attended Non-Commissioned Officers' School and Airborne Training at Ft. Benning, Ga., where he was named "outstanding NCO" of his company. After which he spent the month of December in Forest City with his family before going to Vietnam in early January. At the family's request, PFC Edward J. Benson of Monterey, Calif., long time friend of the sergeant and his family, served as official escort to the body on its trip from the west coast to Forest City.

In the eulogy during the service, the Rev. Max Goldman quoted from the sergeant's last letter to his wife, Mary (Langerud) Davis, dated Feb. 5. "Dear Mary, Today was another day away from you. It also means that I am one day closer to seeing you. I like to think of it the second way as it makes one feel better..." Later the letter concludes with, "I'm writing this letter by candlelight and the candle is burning out. So I had better go. Write soon and give my love to Tommy... 'Bye for now, Bob." Rev. Goldman ended his sermon which had been in form of a letter to the sergeant, with: "It may be, Bobby, that in the world mankind's candle is burning out, but we will try to light it anew and keep it burning. And so we say, 'bye for now and thank you - for everything." The Rev. Max Goldman, Bernard Bliss of Fertile and the Rev. E.W. Lechtenberg of Buffalo Center shared in conducting the service held Feb 21 at 10:30 a.m. in the United Methodist church. Mrs. Lloyd Thorsheim was organist and Frank Johnson was soloist. Casket bearers were Mike Ebaugh, Stuart Goldman, Ken Groh, Lyle Hanna, Jim Levad and Steve Pederson. Ushers were Richard R. Hudson and classmates Tim Anderson and Riley Lewis. Interment was at Oakland Cemetery with the military presenting flags to Sergeant Davis' wife and to his mother, Mrs. Helen Davis. The firing squad fired three volleys and the bugler played taps. Olson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Survivors include his wife and son, his mother, Mrs. Helen Davis of Forest City; his father, Delton Davis of Sioux City; two sister, Mrs. David (Betty Jo) Levad of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Mrs. James (Kathy) DeConcini of St. Paul, Minn., and his grandmother, Mrs. Roy Davis of Fertile and Mrs. Joseph Davies of Madelia, Minn.

POSTED ON 4.12.2022, POSTED BY: TOM DEROSA. FORT POLK TOGETHER AT BASIC. Bobby you and the boys from Iowa are always on my mind we spent 8 weeks together. Me from Chicago. You going off to NCO SCHOOL after AIT IN TIGER LAND. We met up again as you were leaving. You are special to me. We bunked on top of each other and became friends. You are loved and missed. You have a fantastic son.

Gail Gahan Welde, Classmate, 76 Bayview Lane Glendo WY 82213 USA, Missed You at the Reunion. Best dancer in the Forest City, Iowa, Class of '67. We missed you at the fortieth reunion. Missed you at every reunion. Nov 7, 2011.

TOM DEROSA, WE DID BASIC TOGETHER AT FT. POLK. 25081 RIVERWALK DR Leesburg FL 34748 USA. I THINK OF YOU OFTEN AND MISS YOU MY FRIEND. BOBBY It was Nov. 26, 1968, I left Chicago to be drafted in the Us Army. We met in Boot Camp Dec 9, 1968 and you slept in the bunk above me. We became great friends 2 Mid-West young men along with others from Iowa and Illinois. I remember seeing Pics of Donna and the Baby in Camp. We left basic on Feb 14, 1969. We went to TigerLand and I saw you after Graduation at a PX and you told me you were going to NCO School and Jump School. You were one Tuff Kid. I ended up in Korea and came home June 29, 1970. I do not remember the exact date when I called but, I was sitting on my Mothers Kitchen steps and started to call people who I wanted to stay close with after coming home. You were the first call. Your wife answered and I introduced my self again to her and stated I have been home for some time. When she told me you were KIA I was so so depressed and lost it. My mother had to help me off the floor. I took the phone list I had and I burned it. I did not want to call anyone and hear the same sad news. I have visited you often my friend I love you and miss you. You are in my heart always. Tommy D. Jan 7, 2011