Last Known Activity:
He was the co-pilot in crew #7 on the Doolittle Raid. The crew's pilot, Ted Lawson, wrote a book about their experiences called "Thirty Seconds over Tokyo". A movie of the same name was made. Dean Davenport was the technical advisor for the film and his role was played by actor Tim Murdock.
Later Col. Davenport served in the USAAF and USAF, flew 86 combat missions in the Korean War, and commanded several fighter units before retiring Sep 1, 1967.
His DFC citation:
Awarded for actions during World War II
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Dean Davenport (ASN: 0-427310), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement as Co-Pilot of a B-25 Bomber of the 1st Special Aviation Project (Doolittle Raider Force), while participating in a highly destructive raid on the Japanese mainland on 18 April 1942. Lieutenant Davenport with 79 other officers and enlisted men volunteered for this mission knowing full well that the chances of survival were extremely remote, and executed his part in it with great skill and daring. This achievement reflects high credit on himself and the military service.
Action Date: April 18, 1942
Service: Army Air Forces
Rank: First Lieutenant
Company: 1st Special Aviation Project
Division: Doolittle Tokyo Raider Force
Crew No. 7 (Plane #40-2261, "The Ruptured Duck", target Tokyo) 95th Bomb Sq. L-R: Lt. Charles L. McClure, navigator; Lt. Ted W. Lawson, pilot; Lt. Robert S. Clever, bombardier; Lt. Dean Davenport, copilot; Sgt. David J. Thatcher, flight engineer/gunner. (U.S. Air Force photo)
|
