Local Servicemembers Pay It Forward with U.S. Service Academies Nomination Recommendations for Congressman Don Davis
GREENVILLE, N.C. — Five local servicemembers recently paid it forward and volunteered to serve on Congressman Don Davis’ (NC-01) U.S. Service Academies nomination board. Each year, Congressman Davis may nominate up to ten individuals for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.
“I am grateful to our Service Academy Nominations Board members who volunteered their time to identify and recommend exceptional candidates who exemplify the values of leadership and dedication to our country,” said Congressman Don Davis. “Their selfless efforts ensure that our nation’s future remains in good hands with those who will carry the torch of leadership with honor and distinction."
The board, Lt. Col. James Bond, Lt. Col. Julie Kendrick, Col. (Ret) David H. Sammons, Jr., U.S. Navy Capt. (Ret) Keith Wheeler, and Dr. Kelvin Edwards interviewed and recommended eligible applicants for the U.S. Service Academies.
[Lt. Col. James Bond received a certificate of congressional recognition from Kim Mack, District Director for Congressman Don Davis.]
Lt. Col. James Bond currently serves dual roles as Battalion Commander of the 1-130th Attack Battalion and Commander of Army Aviation Support Facility #1 in Morrisville, NC. He has over 23 years of dedicated service in the North Carolina National Guard. Bond holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
[Lt. Col. Julie Kendrick received a certificate of congressional recognition from Kim Mack, District Director for Congressman Don Davis.]
Lt. Col. Julie Kendrick is a Military Science Professor and Chairperson at Elizabeth City State University.
[Col. (Ret) David H. Sammons, Jr., received a certificate of congressional recognition from Kim Mack, District Director for Congressman Don Davis.]
Col. (Ret) David “Slammer” Sammons, Jr. has served 28 years in the Air Force and has experience commanding units in peacetime and combat conditions. His significant military decorations include the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Gallant Unit Citation, AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals. In 2019, Colonel Sammons was inducted into the Air Commando Association Hall of Fame.
He currently serves as the District 2 Commander in The NC American Legion.
[U.S. Navy Capt. (Ret.) Keith Wheeler received a certificate of congressional recognition from Kim Mack, District Director for Congressman Don Davis.]
U.S. Navy Capt. Keith Wheeler is the executive director of East Carolina University’s Office of National Security and Industry Initiatives. The Office of National Security and Industry Initiatives combines several REDE programs into one office, helping ECU researchers engage with government and industry entities to advance programs and partnerships that promote eastern North Carolinians' health, education, and economic advancement.
As the office’s executive director, Wheeler plays a critical role in supporting REDE’s mission to actively grow ECU’s research enterprise.
The Manteo native has held numerous leadership positions in the Navy, including commanding officer of U.S.S. McInerney, where he led the Navy’s first at-sea autonomous flight tests of the Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle, as well as a daring night capture of a self-propelled semi-submersible drug sub off the coast of Central America.
Other assignments include Chief of Staff at DARPA — the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency charged with creating breakthrough technologies and capabilities for national security — the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Northern Command, and U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area. Wheeler earned his master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College and his bachelor’s degree in ocean engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy.
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