Joe Pitts: “Admiral Chester Nimitz, in describing the bravery of Americans battling for Iwo Jima, said, ``Uncommon valor was a…”

“Admiral Chester Nimitz, in describing the bravery of Americans battling for Iwo Jima, said, ``Uncommon valor was a common virtue.'' Captain Ed Davis, who died last week at age 67, was a man of most uncommon valor. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Captain Davis was shot down over Vietnam in 1965, and he would spend the next 7 rac{1}{2} years as a prisoner in Hanoi. When finally released from captivity, he said, ``When I first saw that flag''--meaning the U.S. flag--``I knew it was all worth it.'' To those of us who knew him, his death is a great loss. But his passing is also a great loss to the country he loved. Captain Davis won three silver stars, the Legion of Merit with Combat Citation, five air medals, two purple hearts, as well as numerous other honors both military and civilian. Our thoughts and our prayers and those of a grateful Nation go out to his family. May he rest in peace.”