In the 1960s Davis, then a major general, served as the assistant chief of staff for intelligence, headquarters, Department of the Army.

[4][5] Davis was promoted to major in February 1942 and graduated from the field officer training course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri in March 1942.

Davis was then assigned to the Field Artillery School, teaching tactics and communications until June 1943 and then directing the radio section until April 1944.

He was subsequently given command of the 244th Field Artillery Battalion, training at Camp Gordon, Georgia until July 1944 and then participating in European combat operations until June 1945.

[5][6] After World War II, Davis graduated from the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in February 1946.