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JBSA News
NEWS | July 16, 2014

Davis Barracks named for female Army combat medic

By Esther Garcia AMEDDC&S Public Affairs

Staff Sgt. Carletta Davis, an Army medic, died Nov. 5, 2007, in Tal Al-Dahad, Iraq when an improvised explosive devise detonated near her Humvee during combat operations.

Her name and legacy will now forever live in the minds of future medics training at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

The barracks at building 3314, located on 3740 Williams Way, was dedicated in her memory July 10 and will be known as Davis Barracks, making it the first building on JBSA-Fort Sam Houston to carry the name of a female Army combat medic.

More than 26 percent of all combat medics in training at the 32nd Medical Brigade at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston are female.

This dedication recognizes the medical support contributions of women during Operations Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Davis joined the Army in 1994 and trained at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston as a healthcare specialist and combat medic following graduation from basic training.

As Davis had, the Soldiers living in building 3314 are studying to obtain their National Registry Medical Technician certification and become combat medics.

Military leaders representing the U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School, 32nd Medical Brigade and members of the San Antonio community welcomed Davis' family members attending the ceremony, which included Davis' mother, Lavada Kent Napier;then-husband, Thomas Juopperi; and her three sons, Treyton-Thomas, Theodore and Tyrique Juopperi.

"Today we dedicate this barracks in her honor so that future generations will remember this true hero, be inspired by her service, her sacrifice, her love for her fellow Soldiers and her selfless service to our nation." Maj. Gen. Steve Jones, AMEDDC&S commanding general and host for the ceremony said.

"It is definitely an honor, it is memorable, not something you experience every day," Treyton said. "I am honored to have this building dedicated to my mom."

"It is really a blessing to let me know the military cares about their people, even though they have passed on," Napier said.

"Any person that gets a building named after them - the people coming in have a standard that they have to come up to, because that person really cared about what they did. I appreciate everything the government, the Army and the military has done in recognizing and putting the remembrance of my daughter on paper and naming a building for her."

In her career, Davis deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina and also served at Fort Hood, Texas; twice at Fort Lewis, Wash.; Camp Casey, South Korea; and Fort Drum, N.Y. She had served previous tours in Iraq from April 2003 to March 2004 and from December 2004 to November 2005.

In her last deployment to Iraq, Davis was selected as lead medic in the brigade commander's personal security detachment, which was an elite position that often took her away from her fortified base near Kirkuk.

Davis received two awards for heroism: the first for rescuing two Soldiers who had fallen down a cliff near Fort Lewis and the second for rescuing a wounded Iraqi police officer.

Davis is remembered as a consummate professional who excelled at every task and valued the opportunity to treat and heal others. As a noncommissioned officer, Soldier, medic, wife, daughter and mother, she was a role model to all and epitomized the warrior medic spirit of today's Army.

During her Army career, Davis received the Bronze Star; Purple Heart Medal; Air Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Combat Medical Badge; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Korea Defense Service Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; and Overseas Service Ribbon.

Jones said, "We will remember her bravery, her selfless service and her warrior spirit. We will be thankful that we knew her and had the honor to serve with her. We will also remember her family and their sacrifices. Our nation will be forever in her debt.

"It is fitting that a barracks for future medics bears the name of this true American. She set a great example for them to follow, she did her job well every day, never asking for recognition, she touched thousands of lives and she made a real difference."