Retired US Navy Captain Donald “Don” Homer Jarvis was presented a “Quilt of Valor” at his Maysel home on Thursday, July 29th, 2021.
A “Quilt of Valor” (QOV) is a quality hand-made quilt that is machine or hand quilted. It is awarded to a service member or veteran who has been touched by war. The presentation of the quilt says “Thank you for your Service and Sacrifice in Serving our Nation”.
This particular quilt was made by the Crazy Quilters of Braxton County. The quilt top was pieced together by Bonnie Mitchell. It was quilted by Sheila Maxey of Lewisburg and bound by Cathy Sowa of Frametown.
Captain Jarvis was born in Amma West Virginia in 1927. He started his military service on June 3, 1946 and attended the US Naval Academy until 1951. He served on the USS Midway in the Air Anti-submarine Squadron. He was at flight training school in Pensacola Florida from 1951 until 1953. During that time he became a flight instructor and a maintenance officer. In 1959 he attended the Naval Photograph School. He served in the Heavy Photographic Squadron in Central America, Europe, Africa, and participated in the 1962 Pacific Nuclear Test. He attended the Naval War College in 1965. He served tours as Executive Officer with theReconnaissance Attack Squadron in Southeast Asia. He was wounded in action in Vietnam on February 12, 1967 when his plane was shot down and he was rescued by an Air Force Pilot. He served as Commanding Officer of Reconnaissance Attack Squadron aboard the USS John F. Kennedy in 1968.
During his service he was an Air Officer, a Squadron Commanding Officer, a Bureau of Naval Weapons Representative, a Navy Plant Representative and a Landing Signal Officer.
He received over fourteen medals including anAir Medal, a Purple Heart, Navy Citation Unit, an Expert Pistol, Expert Shot Rifle and Combat Action Ribbon. He retired on February 1, 1981 and began serving Clay County and his State in various capacities.
Early in his pilot career he would fly by the family farm in Amma WV. One time he caused the windows to break in a gasoline service station. Another time he startled a horse causing it to bolt while being tethered to a cart. The horse ran through at least three fences.
Don and his wife, Keyota, currently reside at their farm in Maysel, Clay County, West Virginia.
