James R. Davenport killed in combat

The last thing Jimmy Davenport told his mother during a telephone call from Iraq about two weeks ago was "I love you."

Now, Tammie Davenport and her husband, Clifford, are left clinging to that final declaration of affection as they plan the funeral of their youngest child.

Marine Lance Cpl. James R. Davenport, 20, Danville, was killed Nov. 22 when a roadside bomb exploded as he was driving a Humvee during combat operations in Anbar province. Two other Marines with Davenport also were killed.

"It just goes to show you how important it is to never miss a chance to tell someone that you love them," Tammie Davenport said.

Davenport, who entered the Marines after graduating from Bethesda Christian High School in Brownsburg in 2005, had been in Iraq for about two months when he was killed.

"Jimmy was extremely proud to be a Marine, and we were very proud of him," Tammie Davenport said.

"He definitely believed in serving our country and defending our country, and that's exactly what my baby did."

Davenport followed his father and older brother, J.R., into military service. Clifford Davenport served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, and J.R. is in the military police in the Army Reserve.

"He was so proud of going into the Marines and serving his country," recalled Dee Tidball, who was principal at Bethesda when Davenport was a student.

"He was just a delightful young man. James was quiet, but he was well-liked by his peers, and he had a good sense of humor."

Tidball said the last time she saw Davenport was when he visited the school after joining the Marines. "I told him how proud I was of him going into the service," she said.

Tammie Davenport said her son enlisted in the Marines in January 2005, about five months before he completed high school. After graduation, he went to Camp Pendleton in California for basic training. In February, he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Davenport arrived in Iraq on Sept. 13.

"I just want people to remember how fantastic he was," Tammie Davenport said. "He was scared, but he was so brave."

The family was told of his death Wednesday night. She said officials said Jimmy and the other two Marines in the Humvee were killed instantly in the bomb blast.

He has been honored posthumously with the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

A funeral for Davenport is being planned for next week in South Carolina, where the family owns property.

"Jimmy loved it down there, and that's where we are going to be," his mother said.
A local memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Dec. 16 at Bethesda Christian Church in Brownsburg.

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