Biography
Second Lieutenant O. Dean Davidson was the brother of Warren C. Davidson. He came to Iowa State College from his hometown Omaha, Nebraska. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Agricultural Engineering in 1915.
O enlisted at Omaha, Nebraska on December 28, 1918. He was assigned to the Gas Engine Division in aviation and was then transferred to the Massachusetts School of Technology on January 19, 1918.
On April 2, 1918, he was transferred to Ellington Field, Houston, Texas.
He died in an airplane accident at Richmond, Texas, on March 16, 1919.
Oscar Dean Davidson was born in Long Pine, Nebraska, est. 1891. He spent most of his life in Omaha. After graduating from the Omaha High School he entered Iowa State College at Ames, from which he graduated in 1915 with a B. S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and also in Agricultural Engineering. While in college he was very active in student life, participating on the Iowa Engineer staff, Bomb (yearbook) Board, Glee Club, Bachelor Debating Society, Christian Public Service Committee, and he was a Major of Cadets. He was also a member of Tau Beta Pi and Delta Xi honorary fraternities. Davidson was originally a member of the Seminoles local fraternity at Iowa State. He became one of the 21 founding members of Epsilon Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon when they were absorbed and chartered on May 28, 1915, largely due to his efforts in getting the chapter established.
For a year after graduation, he was a member of the editorial staff of the Tzveitticth Century Fanner and then became secretary and superintendent of the Universal Motor Company. He resigned to enter the service in January, 1918 and was sent to Boston "Tech" for training where he was given a Second Lieutenant's commission as a aviation mechanical expert.
On March 15th, 1919 Davidson was killed in a military plane crash along with Lieutenant Robert E. Morsbach. Both were Ellington Field aviation personnel. They were making a night flight from Kelly Field, San Antonio, through heavy fog, when their altimeter failed, incorrectly indicating their actual altitude and their plane crashed into the ground. Both were killed instantaneously.
Davidson left behind a wife and nine month-old daughter, Nancy Lee; a sister. Ruby, a senior at Iowa State College; a brother, Warren, also an Epsilon Teke who also served in the military; and his parents in Omaha. He was a man admired for his sterling qualities and character and his genial good humor brought many a laugh.