Oak Harbor native and marine honored with NAS Whidbey funeral

Lance Corporal Donovan Davis was born at the Naval Hospital on NAS Whidbey on July 17, 2002.

By Sam Fletcher • March 5, 2024 1:30 am

A funeral was held at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Friday to honor an Oak Harbor native who died along with four other marines in a helicopter crash during a routine exercise in a rural area of San Diego County last month.

Gov. Jay Inslee directed that on March 1, Washington State and United State’s flags of all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in memory of Lance Corporal Donovan Davis and the four other United States Marines.

Twenty-one-year-old Davis, the CH-53E helicopter crew chief, was born at the Naval Hospital on NAS Whidbey on July 17, 2002. On the very stage his father, Greg Davis, gave the eulogy, Donovan was baptized.

Greg flew Prowlers and was a Replacement Air Group instructor from 1999-2004 and 2007-2011. Donovan went to Hillcrest Elementary School. Though the Davises moved around a lot, Donovan lived in Oak Harbor the longest.

He spent his childhood stockpiling toy guns and pretending to be on special military operations, taking out bad guys and rescuing good guys, Greg said. This was something he continued through adulthood, as 16 Airsoft guns were found in his barracks room when it was cleaned out.

Donovan was a Boy Scout and a scuba diver. He loved skiing, flying, military history, video games, amusement parks, movies and music. He was shy and kept to himself, stowing an enormous passion for his work and deep caring for the people around him.

In high school, he committed to joining the Marines, where he “truly lived his childhood dream,” Greg said. He traveled to Japan, flew with night vision goggles and shot guns from a helicopter.

The Davises hadn’t lived in Oak Harbor for over a decade, and the funeral took place in near-freezing weather, so Greg didn’t expect an enormous turnout. He was wrong.

“We were just in shock with how many people showed up along the parade and the procession,” he said. “It was super moving, the community support. It was pretty powerful and meant a lot.”

Officers led the flag-folding ceremony followed by a fly-over. Greg thanked the NAS Whidbey leadership, Commanding Officer Capt. Eric Hanks, Executive Officer Commander Joshua Overn and others for holding such a special ceremony.

“Donovan, if you can hear me, I want you to know how proud I am of you,” Greg said in his eulogy. “I wish it would have taken you longer, but you have completed your mission. Thank you for the love, laughter and beauty you brought into our lives. ‘Till we meet again.”

Oak Harbor residents rally to support Donovan Davis at his funeral procession on Friday. (Photo courtesy of Felicia Warrington)

Oak Harbor police and fire rally to support Donovan Davis at his funeral procession on Friday. (Photo courtesy of Felicia Warrington)

In high school, Donovan Davis committed to joining the marines, where he “truly lived his childhood dream.” (Photo courtesy of Greg Davis)

Photo courtesy of Greg Davis 21-year-old Donovan Davis, the CH-53E helicopter crew chief, was born at the Naval Hospital on NAS Whidbey on July 17, 2002.