Assigned to 376FS, 361FG, 8AF USAAF. 77 x combat missions. Flew 270 x combat hours in P-51 Mustangs.



Awards: AM (2OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.



Obit; Francis R. Davison, LTC retired, 95, of Red Hook, N.Y., passed away Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, at Ferncliff Nursing Home in Rhinebeck, N.Y., with his wife, Wilma, at his side. A veteran of World War II, Mr. Davison served his country in the U.S. Air Force for more than 23 years, having retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was a member of the 361st Fighter Group, the 59th Fighter Squadron and the P-51 Mustang Pilots Association. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Mr. Davison worked as a flight instructor with Atlantic Aviation in Teterboro, N.J., and at Skypark in Red Hook. He also was the chief pilot for Brewster Construction and for AT&T Corp. Active in his community, Mr. Davison was a past member of Montgomery Post 429 American Legion in Rhinebeck, Red Hook-Rhinebeck Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 2022, the Red Hook Lions Club and volunteered for Meals on Wheels. Mr. Davison loved to travel with Wilma in their RV, spending winters in Florida and summers in Maine. They also attended many Air Force reunions on the East Coast. He also was an avid apiarist (beekeeper), and was a more than 20-year member of the Red Hook Golf Club. Born Aug. 11, 1917, in Cochranton, he was a son of the late Lee R. and Bessie Bossard Davison. He was a graduate of Townville High School, attended CCC Camp, worked at Talon, received his associate’s degree from the University of Maryland and graduated from Air University at Maxwell Field in Alabama. Mr. Davison married Wilma Marks Beach in 1995 in Red Hook, and she survives at home. In addition to his loving wife, Wilma R. Beach Davison of Red Hook, he is survived by three sons, Thomas Davison of Glenmont, N.Y., Christopher Davison of Rhinebeck and Jamie Davison of Altamont, N.Y.; a stepson, Peter M. Beach of Red Hook; two grandchildren, Audrey Davison and Thomas Luke Davison, both of Glenmont; three stepgrandchildren, Katelyn Rose Beach of Red Hook, Lauren Belcher of Poughquag, N.Y., and Ryan Belcher of Rod Hook; a sister, Opal Maloney of Meadville; and a brother, Kelvin (Bud) Davison and his wife, Jean, of Titusville. In addition to his extended family, he is survived by several nieces and nephews.