John Duren “Jack” Davenport, of St. Cloud, Fl., died Mar. 9, 2011. Born November 1, 1919, he was the younger son of the late William Kyle Davenport and Lena Collins Davenport of Landrum, South Carolina. Jack graduated from The Citadel in 1941 with BA in English. During World War II, he flew B-17s as command pilot with the Army Air Corps. He earned the Air Medal with Eight Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross while flying more than 50 combat missions in Europe and North Africa with the 97th Bomber Group of original 8th Air Force. After maximum allowed war missions, he was reassigned stateside as instructor for the B-24 bomber. He flew numerous other transports as called upon for remainder of war, retiring with rank of Major. After the war, Jack was a career pilot with Eastern Airlines for over 30 years. In addition to his parents he is predeceased by wife Bessie Jean VanTassel Davenport, older brother William Kyle Davenport, Jr. and sister Velle Davenport Gothner. He is survived by close relatives and friends. A service for family and friends to honor Jack’s life will be held on Wednesday March 23 2011 at 3:30 pm at the Cornerstone Baptist Church, 2925 Canoe Creek Road St. Cloud, FL 34772 (407) 892-3300. Tags: 1941
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