Daniel L. Davis

Daniel Davis was raised in Dallas, Texas and enlisted in the Army in 1985.[1] He briefly left military service to complete his bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program.[1][2] He later received a master's degree in international relations from Troy University.[3]

Davis served in Germany and Iraq, earning the Bronze Star during Operation Desert Storm.[1] Following Operation Desert Storm, Davis left the Army to work in the private sector, while continuing to serve in the United States Army Reserve.[2]

In 2002, following the September 11 attacks, Davis returned to active duty.[1] He was initially posted to The Pentagon.[1]

After returning from his second deployment to Afghanistan in 2012, during which he was decorated with a second Bronze Star, Davis – disturbed by what he felt was a program of official deception being presented to the public on the success of the War in Afghanistan – delivered a report on his observations to the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General.[2] Unclassified versions of the report were copied to several members of the United States Congress as well as the New York Times.[2] The Project On Government Oversight has described him as "one of the earliest public critics inside the military speaking out about the mounting failures in the Afghanistan War".[4] He was awarded the Ridenhour Prize for Truth-Telling in 2012 for his report.[4]

Davis later retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.[5]

As of 2023, he is a Senior Fellow at the Defense Priorities Foundation.[5]

According to Davis, his favorite film is Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.[2]