Edward E. Davis, also known as Earl Davis, was born in early 1916. He is currently 97 years old and is at least the oldest veteran of World War II living in Smyth. Virginia County. At age twenty-five, on September 8, 1941, Davis was drafted into the United States Army and sent to undergo basic training in South Carolina. He was one of five children, all boys, and they all served in the United States Army. His official title in the United States Army was Carrier, Mortar Gunner, and Ammunition Carrier. Davis was married to Mary Irene Tolliver Davis, who sadly died on March 29, 2005 at the age of 82. While most countries in the world had conscripted armies and were fighting against each other, the United States of America still claimed neutrality and isolationism during this period. most of 1941. Because of this, Davis was required to undergo basic training, but had not yet seen any form of combat. However, on December 7, 1941, all that would change. From the American perspective, as of 7:46 a.m. on December 7, America was still considered neutral and was not formally involved in the war. At 7:48 a.m., bombing began on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The Imperial Japanese Navy had snuck in and was bombarding the majority of the American fleet docked at the Hawaiian base. This officially ended United States neutrality, and on December 8, 1941, the United States officially declared war on Japan. Davis remembers the bombing of Pearl Harbor, but only has one moment that signifies his entry into war. On the day of the attack, Davis said he was peeling potatoes in his base's kitchen when news of the bombings came. Davis also recalled how he signed up to be deployed to Panama, and was told he would receive a f...... middle of paper ......ene, and his six children. Davis did not hesitate to be drafted into the army, even at twenty-five years old. He believes it helped him mature and shape who he really was, and even allowed him to return home with new options and perspectives on life. He also credited the war with strengthening his bond with his wife. Although they had not been married very long before he left in 1941, once he arrived home he never wanted to see life without her again and, in turn, they remained married until upon his recent death in 2005. Davis moved on with his life. having six children, which led to eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He hopes that if nothing else is passed down from one generation to the next, his legacy of fighting for freedoms not only in America, but also abroad will live on in every member of his family...