Submitted photo Girard native Frank Davis Jr., 46, recently retired from the Navy after a 24-year career. He and his wife, Kathlyn, got married in 2003. With them are their children, Frankie, 14; Gracie, 9; and Jacob, 11.

GIRARD — Cmdr. Frank Davis Jr. hung up his flight suit and retired from the Navy on Oct. 1 after serving for 24 years.

Davis graduated from Girard High School in 1992 and Youngstown State University in 1996. He enlisted in the Navy with hopes of gaining experience to pursue a career in federal law enforcement. He was a nuclear electronics technician and operated a nuclear reactor while stationed aboard the USS Michigan SSBN 727.

Davis, 46, enjoyed serving his country, thrived on new challenges and became a naval flight officer.

Some highlights during his career included traveling to many foreign countries, tracking submarines from the air and launching jets from an aircraft carrier.

While being a P-3 naval flight officer, he earned his Master of Science in Global Leadership from the University of San Diego in 2007. He had the opportunity to be promoted to commander in front of the Constitution of the United States at the National Archives museum with his family present.

The pinnacle of Davis’s career was when he became the commanding officer of TACRON (Tactical Air Control Squadron) 11, in San Diego. TACRON 11 detachments deploy throughout the Pacific Fleet, providing centralized planning control and integration of all air operations in support of amphibious operations, training and transits.

“I am most proud that the Navy gave me the opportunity to command; it is a responsibility that few people will ever get to experience. The outstanding men and women that were under my charge made the experience extremely rewarding,” he said.

While Davis has enjoyed the adventures that the Navy has provided him, he and his family also have made sacrifices along the way.

He married his wife, Kathlyn, in 2003. They have three children, Frankie, 14; Jacob, 11; and Gracie, 9. Many anniversaries, birthdays and important events have been missed because of work and deployments.

While on deployment, Davis received an email informing him that his second son, Jacob, was born. Four months later, he was able to hold his son in his arms.

The Davis family has moved every two to three years, changing schools and making new friends, and done their part to support Davis and his career. Although this lifestyle has had challenges, family members said they feel blessed to have had the adventures.

“Serving in the Navy means that I am part of a team that defends the Constitution with honor, courage and commitment,” he said. “We stand ‘the watch’ for our country. There are a large group of men and women that are always deployed, successfully completing the missions set forth by our military and civilian leaders.”

Davis is visiting his parents, Frank and Nina Davis in Girard, while he and his family decide where they want to settle.

He said he has enjoyed spending time with his family and has felt blessed to spend time with his grandparents, Dolly and Ed Meckes, lifetime residents of the area.

The thought of no more deployments and family separations is an exciting prospect for the entire family.

As the couple walk around town, they have appreciated all the patriotic displays on so many houses and have enjoyed the kindness and warmth of area residents.

As his military career ends, Davis said: “I am proud to have honorably served my country, which provides all of us with opportunities to travel our own path. Our country is not perfect, and we should always strive to improve upon it. I have visited many countries while serving the Navy, and I was always glad I was able to come back home to the United States.”