Potomac Chapter, Military Officers Association of America

05/23/2025

On May 23, 2025 Potomac Chapter, MOAA held its monthly general membership meeting and luncheon at the To-Do Café in Tappahannock, VA. This month we had the high honor and distinct privilege to welcome Medal of Honor winner COL Paris Davis, US Army, Retired as our guest speaker.

COL Davis spoke at length about joining the US Army Special Forces under President John Kennedy, presented his views on leadership and the bonds formed with those he both led and followed, and some of the actions he and others took in Vietnam that resulted in President Joe Biden awarding him the MOH.
The citation for his Medal of Honor, which says it all, reads as follows:

Citation Accompanying the Medal of Honor
Presented to CPT Paris D. Davis, U.S. Army

Then-Captain Paris D. Davis distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Commander of Detachment A-321, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, during combat operations against an armed enemy in the vicinity of B**g Son, Republic of Vietnam, June 17-18, 1965.

Captain Davis, commanding an inexperienced South Vietnamese regional raiding force, learned that a vastly superior North Vietnamese enemy force was operating in the area. Through surprise and leadership, he gained the tactical advantage, personally engaging and killing several enemy soldiers. Wounded while leading the initial assault, Captain Davis continued moving forward, personally engaging the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. Launching a counterattack, the superior enemy force separated Captain Davis from his main Regional Force Company.

Charging under the intense enemy fire, Captain Davis personally led four others in the destruction of enemy gun emplacements and captured more enemy personnel. Afterwards, Captain Davis moved to regroup his forces and break contact with the enemy to allow his expertly guided tactical air and artillery fire to obliterate the foe. However, the enemy again counter-attacked in superior numbers and Captain Davis was struck by automatic weapons fire. So close was the charging enemy soldier that shot him, Captain Davis engaged him in close-quarter combat and was again wounded in the process of defeating this soldier.

Captain Davis then led his men to reorganize into abandoned enemy fighting positions as he continued to call for artillery and air support. Realizing two of his fellow Americans were incapacitated and unable to move while trapped by enemy fire, Captain Davis located their positions and moved to suppress enemy guns and personally rescue each to the safety of the friendly Company position.

While enacting the rescue of the first American, Captain Davis was shot in the leg. In great pain he continued forward and dragged him to the Company perimeter. Captain Davis then exposed himself again to the intense enemy fire to rescue the second American, crawling 150 yards to complete the rescue while being hit by enemy gr***de fragments. After rescuing the second fellow American, Captain Davis then personally directed the helicopter extraction for the wounded but refused medical extraction for himself.

Captain Davis continued to engage the enemy until all members of his Company were extracted. He remained on the battlefield to continue personal coordination of tactical air and artillery fire, ensuring the destruction of the enemy force.
Colonel Davis was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on 3 March 2023.

In an earlier action, CPT Davis was also awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism.

Soldier's Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Major (Armor), [then Captain] Paris D. Davis (ASN: OF-110648), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 13 May 1965 at B**g San. He witnessed an aviation fuel truck jackknife and roll over on its side, pinning the driver to the steering wheel.

Disregarding his personal safety, he ordered the remaining members of his detachment to stay clear of the truck and proceeded to pry the steering wheel away from the trapped driver. Disregarding the pleas to abandon the driver and flaming truck, Major Davis worked his comrade loose and then carried him away from the truck just as it exploded. Major Davis' heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

12/04/2023

Lt. Cmdr. Brown-Herbert shared his story about why he joined the U.S. Navy during the Potomac Chapter, Military Officers Association of America luncheon last month!

Sharing his story gave Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division leadership an excellent opportunity to engage with the community and foster connections with fellow veterans!

08/16/2023

On August 16, 2023 Potomac Chapter, MOAA held its monthly general membership meeting and luncheon in Murphy Hall at the beautiful Westmoreland State Park. Our guest speaker was Commander Brett Litchfield, US Navy, who currently serves as Chief of Staff, Missile Defense Agency, Sea-based Weapon Systems Program Office.

CDR Litchfield gave an excellent and very informative presentation that included discussion of the evolving threat environment that is driving missile defense; MDA’s mission; support for warfighter capabilities thru technology development and testing, production fielding and deployment, and operations and readiness; in-service active missile defense systems; sea-based weapon systems; functional support; Aegis missile defense; exploiting off board sensors; historical intercept events and results; Aegis BMD SM-3 evolution; the current Aegis BMD fleet; Aegis ashore site locations to include similarities and differences; space domain awareness; and the spectrum of AB international efforts.

CDR Litchfield’s presentation generated much interest, and he fielded a number of questions from the audience. During his presentation attendees enjoyed a wonderful lunch prepared by Dori Farrell Catering from Colonial Beach

08/10/2023

Potomac Chapter, MOAA held its monthly general membership meeting and luncheon on July 19, 2023 at the To-Do Café in Tappahannock.

Our guest speaker was Revolutionary War re-enactor Charles Belfield, whose ancestors had participated in almost every major conflict since before the Revolutionary War. Dressed as a nineteenth century gentleman, he did a spellbinding job reenacting James Monroe, a Westmoreland native.

Charles brought the horror and confusion of the early battles of the Revolutionary War to life in a vivid and personal way as he described the feelings and experiences of a very young James Monroe during those turbulent times. He left us wanting more, and he knows much more than he told us. To learn more, he advised joining the Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Society. Additional information is available at https://nnvhs.wordpress.com/.

03/19/2023

On March 15, 2023 the Potomac Chapter held its monthly general membership meeting and luncheon at Murphy Hall, Westmoreland State Park.

Chapter auxiliary member Pam Narney presented a very interesting talk about Project Osprey Watch, whose mission is to bring citizen scientists together, and to collect information on a large enough spatial scale to be useful in addressing global climate change, depletion of fish stocks (99% of the osprey diet is fish), and environmental contamination.

Also, Assistant Park Manager Jim Wyman spoke about the park’s many amenities and efforts that are underway to preserve, restore, and expand them for the enjoyment of all visitors.

02/17/2023

01/22/2023

On January 18, 2023, Potomac Chapter, MOAA held its monthly general membership meeting and luncheon at the Hopyard Farm clubhouse, King George, VA. Our guest speaker was Lt Gen Charles Chiarotti, United States Marine Corps (Retired).

Lt Gen Chiarotti is the President and CEO of the Marine Corps Association, which was established in 1913. His dynamic presentation focused on the USMC’s ongoing efforts aimed at future force design and modernization, which is necessary to support the changing national security and defense strategies that will address the future threat environment.

After Lt Gen Chiarotti fielded a number of questions in response to his presentation, we had a short business meeting and lunch. Once again, the highlight of lunch was the incredibly delicious assortment of desserts prepared by Lawrie Moncure.

12/15/2022

On Wednesday, December 16, 2022, Potomac Chapter held its annual Christmas Gala at the Los Hermanos Restaurant in Colonial Beach, VA. Attendees enjoyed a festive holiday setting, engaging fellowship, spirited conversation, top notch service, delicious food, a wonderful homemade dessert assortment, raffles, a Christmas quiz, prizes, and margaritas by the pitcher!!! Everyone had a great time, and we look forward to more of the same as we welcome the coming New Year.

10/22/2022

On October 19, 2022 the Potomac Chapter, MOAA held its monthly general membership meeting and luncheon at the China Inn Restaurant in Warsaw, VA.

Our guest speaker was Virginia State Delegate Margaret Ransone, representing the 99th District. During her talk, Delegate Ransone formally announced the General Assembly's Joint House Resolution 113, celebrating the life of long-time Potomac Chapter member Ferdinand "Doc" C. Dugan III, who died on August 15, 2021. The Joint Resolution honors Doc Dugan for his many years of distinguished service to our nation, and for his continued support to the community through his active involvement with many local organizations.

Delegate Ransone also summarized major legislative initiatives undertaken by the General Assembly this year and fielded several questions from the attendees. It was a very interesting and informative meeting, and we are grateful for Delegate Ransone's participation and her presentation of the Joint Resolution honoring Doc Dugan.

08/18/2022

On August 17, 2022 the Potomac Chapter held its monthly general membership meeting and luncheon at the Cygnets Restaurant in Lottsburg, VA.

In addition to the excellent food and fellowship, we were pleased to have Lloyd Adams' grandson Dakota share some of his recent experience with the Navy while completing a 7-month deployment to the pacific on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.

During his deployment, Dakota visited ports that included Guam, the Philippines, Japan, and Hawaii. Dakota is a Seaman and works with the crew that moves aircraft to and from the carrier flight deck.

Our next meeting will be held on September 21, 2022 at a TBD location.

08/05/2022

On July 20, 2022 the Potomac Chapter, MOAA received a superb presentation about the 19th Space Defense Squadron, US Space Force, and a tour of its facilities on the Navy base at Dahlgren. Lt Col Jonathan Smith, 19th SDS Commanding Officer, gave the presentation.

His discussion covered the unit’s history, mission and vision, current operations, and plans. In particular, he told us about his goal of achieving unified diversity functioning as one body providing space domain awareness and the foundation for space defense.

He also detailed how a combination of space-based sensors, phased and optical array radars, and optical telescopes are used to identify and track satellites and tens of thousands of pieces of space debris that are orbiting our planet, and to provide a level of space-based environmental monitoring.

Following the presentation and tour, the group reassembled at the Roma Pizza Restaurant and Bar in Dahlgren where we all enjoyed good food and fellowship.