Col. Walter James Davies, U.S. Army Retired

Col. Walter James Davies died on March 11, 2011 at the age of 92. Following a career in the U.S. Army, he had long been active in public affairs in Harford County, MD, including 10 years as executive director of the Harford County Water and Sewer Division.

Davies was born to Griffith Thomas and Ina Mable Davies in Sister Lakes, MI on January 15, 1919 and grew up on the family farm. He graduated from Michigan State University and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army. He was one of the last of the horse-mounted Cavalry and prior to World War II, commanded a platoon of the famous "Buffalo Soldiers"(9th Cavalry Regiment).

During World War II, he commanded a reconnaissance platoon patrolling the U.S. coast looking for enemies who might land on our shores. In one of the little-known stories of the Second World War, they did find a rubber raft and other evidence that German operatives had landed here. The evidence was turned over to the F.B.I. and the operatives were apprehended.

After the war, he was assigned as an intelligence officer in General MacArthur's headquarters in Japan. About ten years later he directed intelligence operations for the U.S. Eighth Army in South Korea.

During the 1950's, he commanded a tank battalion in West Germany, helping protect Western Europe from a potential Soviet assault.

In the later portion of his Army career, Davies managed and commanded various scientific and professional operations, ending his career as Deputy Post Commander at Edgewood Arsenal, MD.

After his retirement, he was hired by Harford County to manage the Water and Sewer division of the county Public Works Department. When he retired from that position, the county newspaper, the Aegis, editorialized: "the general welfare of the government and its finances are certainly better off today because of Mr. Davies' management of a chronic problem area." (June 21, 1984)

In his later years, Davies served for 19 years as a volunteer board member of Freedom Federal Credit Union in Harford County, giving up that position at the age of 92. He was also a member of the Bel Air Lions' Club.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Barbara Catherine (Gribler) Davies, a son, the Rev. Richard E. Davies of Morrow, GA, a daughter, LeVoy Davies Francisco of Bel Air, MD, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made to The Aegis Empty Stocking Fund, Attn: Jane Brown, 1801 Castleton Road, Darlington, MD 21034 or a charity of your choice.