Fathers, son’s legacy finds home at Sheppard

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Col. William H. Davidson greeted a crowd of onlookers Nov. 20, 1981, at the dedication of a dark and dank little structure on the northwest side of Sheppard, the Kell Field Terminal.

Before that day, it had been used as storage, where refuse and unwanted goods of Sheppard laid dormant, waiting for someone, anyone really, to claim them - much like the building itself.

When Colonel Davidson learned of the buildings historic past, he laid claim to it for future generations, saving the building from demolition and having it dedicated as a historical landmark.

That legacy came full circle Aug. 3 as Mrs. Mary Hall, former wife of Colonel Davidson, donated flight records and photos belonging to Colonel Davidson, and his father, Brig. Gen. Joseph Davidson, a former Sheppard Field commander, to the base history office.

The records go as far back as World War I when General Davidson was an aerial observer with the Army Signal Corps to the end of Colonel Davidson's career when he retired in 1982.

In fact, there is only a one-month period the documents don't cover. It's the one month in 1950 when neither son was in the U.S. Air Force. General Davidson had retired just before his son began his 32-year-career.

Mrs. Hall said her former husband was very fond of history and would've been happy to see the documents at Sheppard. She said that and her own fondness for history are what led her to bring the artifacts to Sheppard.

"We enjoyed looking at them," she said. "But we thought it would be more valuable for other people to see it."

Mrs. Hall said the visit to Sheppard meant a great deal to her family because it was important for her children and grandchildren to know their grandfather and father's history.

Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux, 82nd Training Wing commander, said Sheppard appreciated their gift, especially given the circumstance of both father and son having served as a Sheppard commander.

"It means so much to our Air Force, especially as we have our 60th anniversary coming up," he said. "To see that line of history be put before us today is amazing. Because of (Colonel Davidson's) foresight and vision, this building is still standing."

The base heritage center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, call 676-2787.