Sail On John Davis, the Real Hawkeye Pierce

[C-Dawg]

John H. Davis, a longtime Burlington doctor frequently credited as the model for an iconic Army surgeon, has died after a short illness. He was 87.

Davis is being remembered by family and friends for his surgical care, teaching future doctors and helping Fletcher Allen Health Care raise its ability to serve as a high-level trauma center. Following his death last week, he also is being recalled as the basis for Dr. Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H, the popular book, movie and television series starring Alan Alda.

Davis, who often was introduced at national conferences as “Hawkeye,” had jokingly downplayed the media attention thrust on him by the author of the 1968 book, Richard Hooker.

“I keep trying to live it down and say ‘I don’t know,’” Davis told the Burlington Free Press in 1982. He said the author “unfortunately keeps telling my friends that I was his model.” Hooker, a former military surgeon, and Davis served together in the Korean War, daughter Halee Davis said.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/arti ... |FRONTPAGE

[dnw]

Sail on, John.

[nutmeg]

sail on....

[Bicycle Bill]

Sail on, John. And regardless of whether it's true or not, being credited as the inspiration for one of the most iconic characters on TV — well, there's a lot worse things a person could be remembered for.

-"BB"-

[jayparrot46]

sail on john