Milford Grad Dies Suddenly At Army Base

U.S. Army Spc. Jared Davison, 24, of Milford, N.H., died unexpectedly Sept. 4 while stationed at Fort Eustis, Virginia.

A cause of death has not been determined.

Davison was serving as a watercraft engineer with the 558th Transportation Company, Special Troops Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade.

Born in Boston on Feb. 20, 1988, Davison was a 2006 graduate of Milford High School. He attended Norwich Academy in Vermont and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. He joined the 558th Transportation Company in August of this year.

Jared was remembered by his parents, Paula and James Davison of Milford, as being a very considerate and kind son, brother and friend.

"He had an infectious smile," James said. "He could break you down with that smile."

As a boy, Jared "introduced" the tradition of hugging into his family, James recalled. "He taught us how to show affection. He taught us how to love in a different way. From him, I learned to love on a different level."

Jared was such a voracious reader that Wadleigh Memorial Library in downtown Milford became his second home. He eventually worked there part-time. His appetite for reading ranged from C.S. Lewis to Tom Clancy.

In school, Jared was solid student. He played lacrosse and ran cross-country. He was a youth leader in his church and during the summer he worked as a counselor at Camp Lawroweld in Maine.

At 16, Jared was inspired to join the Army after a family trip to Sequoia National Park where he discovered that one of the park's first superintendents was Capt. Charles Young, a black cavalry officer and 1884 graduate of West Point.

"By coincidence there was an African-American celebration the weekend we were there," James said. "The program was about this officer who oversaw the park, how he was one of the first black graduates of the Academy and how he helped develop the park. We've always kept Jared's copy of it."

When the Davisons returned home, Jared read everything he could about the military, James said. With the encouragement of his older brother, he even started an exercise regimen.

Throughout his military service, Jared befriended many people. He was known for his selflessness and his ability to easily connect with others. Before his death, Jared was working toward a promotion to sergeant. His military awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon