Army Gen. Michael Davison; Fought in WWII, Vietnam

After World War II, Gen. Davison received a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University, worked two stints at the Pentagon, served as commander of the 1st Regiment, U.S. Corps of Cadets at West Point and served in Europe.

He graduated from the National War College in 1958 and in 1963 became the 51st commandant of cadets at West Point. Since his own West Point performance was a bit less than stellar -- he enjoyed himself too much, his son recalled -- he found it particularly satisfying that the Army recognized the value of his broad military and leadership experience. During his tenure, he implemented an improved physical education program and increased emphasis on leadership training.

He served as commandant of the Army's Command and General Staff College, where he helped prepare officers for duty in Vietnam, and in 1970 assumed command of II Field Force in Vietnam.

In 1971, he became commander in chief of the U.S. Army in Europe. As a senior U.S. officer on the continent, he felt a special obligation to help the Army rebuild and recover from its Vietnam experience and to make the transition to an all-volunteer service.

He emphasized race relations and equal opportunity, instituting seminars and sensitivity training, among other tools to deal with racial issues. In 1976, the NAACP presented him with its Meritorious Service Award.

After his retirement from the Army in 1975, Gen. Davison served as president of the United Service Organizations and as vice president of Joseph R. Loring and Associates, an architectural engineering firm, before retiring a second time in the early 1980s. He served six years as president of the Association of Graduates, a West Point alumni group.

His first wife, Jean Miller Davison, died in 1983. A daughter from that marriage, Katherine Davison, died in 1957.

Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Helen Walker Davison of Arlington; three children from his first marriage, retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Shannon Davison Jr. of the District, Donald Angus Davison and Mary Davison Hill, both of Petaluma, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.