Davison Titla Sr

  General Notes:

Decorated Vietnam Veteran Davison Titla laid to rest
Posted: Wednesday, Sep 29th, 2010
BY: Mary Kim Titla



Davison Titla, Sr., a decorated Vietnam Veteran, received military funeral honors when he was recently laid to rest. The Department of Defense approved the use of an Honor Guard from Ft. Huachuca to assist with the burial at the Bylas Veteran’s Cemetery. Bylas and San Carlos Veterans also participated in the ceremony providing a firing party for the 3-volley salute. Motorcyclists made of mostly San Carlos Apache Veterans escorted the funeral procession.

Army Spec. Micah Mosley, Titla’s grandnephew, read the eulogy at his funeral. Here is part of the eulogy.

Davison Titla, Sr. was born Feb. 25, 1950 to the late Gussie Titla and the late Robert Titla of Bylas. Davison along with his brothers Phillip and Lambert lived in Black Point. He attended Ft. Thomas Elementary and High Schools. At Ft. Thomas High School Davison was the quarterback for the football team. He also played basketball. One of his favorite classes was Wood Shop where he made numerous pieces of furniture. He graduated from Ft. Thomas in 1969.

In 1970, Davison was drafted by the U.S. Army. He was just 19 years old and at the time was attending Eastern Arizona College. He attended boot camp at Ft. Hood, Texas before being assigned to the Front Line as a Combat Infantryman.

See Titla, A3

He served with Company B 1st Battalion. While serving as a rifleman during combat operation and as a lead man on a reconnaissance patrol, Private Titla discovered four 122 millimeter rockets set up to be command detonated. He moved ahead to assume security and the rockets were disarmed. The Secretary of the Army stated Titla displayed exceptional poise and unselfishness upon encountering a dangerous situation that could have eliminated him and his unit. The Secretary of the Army stated Private First Class Titla’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest tradition of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army in March of 1970. He received the Army Commendation Medal with V Device for Heroism in the Republic of Vietnam. In addition he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Air Medal; and Combat Infantryman Badge; and Sharpshooter (Rifle) medal.

Following his service in the military, Davison worked as a laborer. He and his brothers participated in many invitational basketball tournaments as the Bylas Coyotes and Bylas Cowboys on Indian reservations in Arizona, California and New Mexico.

He and his brother Lambert or “Boe” also started a band called the Black Point Valley Boys. Other band members included George Juan, Harrison Talgo and Gary Kindelay. They traveled extensively playing at carnivals, tribal fairs, dances and special events. Davison loved playing the guitar.

While living in Whiteriver, he worked for the Ft. Apache Timber Company and BIA Roads Department.

In his later years he served as a ranch hand and as a cook for various Cattle Associations. He also continued his woodworking making picnic tables and other items. Throughout his life he enjoyed doing artwork. He did water color and colored pencil drawings of Apache culture.

During the funeral his niece Mary Kim Titla read the following statement received from Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick. “With a heavy heart, we lay Davison Titla to rest today. Like many men of his generation, Davision was called to serve his country in Vietnam when he was only 19 years old. There he fulfilled his duty to his country and his fellow soldiers-demonstrating exceptional courage, self-sacrifice and poise. His valor earned him numerous service awards including the Army Commendation Medal with V Device for Heroism in the Republic of Vietnam. Although Davison is gone from this Earth, he will remain in our thoughts and in our hearts. May we continue to honor the memory of his deeds and his spirit of service.”

At the burial site, after the playing of Taps by a lone bugler and the folding of the U.S. Flag draped on his casket, a member of the Honor Guard presented the flag to Davison’s daughter Danya Titla Hinton. He said “On behalf of the President of the United States and the people of a grateful nation, may I present this flag as a token of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service your loved one rendered this nation.”

Davison was preceded in death by his parents, son Dennison, brothers Dennis and Willis and nephew Darrell.

He is survived by his children Danya, Davison, Jr., Dorian, and Robin, his sister Alberta Rope, brothers Phillip and Lambert, eight grandchildren, numerous nephews and nieces and grand nieces and nephews.

Davison married.