John Davies was born on March 6, 1942, in Butler Township, Pennsylvania. He entered Officer Training School at Lackland AFB, Texas, on November 13, 1964, and graduated with a commission as a 2d Lt in the U.S. Air Force on February 10, 1965. Lt Davies graduated from Undergraduate Navigator Training at James Connally AFB, Texas, in March 1966, and from Electronic Warfare Officer Training at Mather AFB, California, in December 1966. His first assignment was as an Electronic Warfare Officer aboard EB-66 Destroyer electronic countermeasure aircraft with the 41st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from January 1967 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on February 4, 1967. After spending 2,207 days in captivity, Capt Davies was released during Operation Homecoming on February 18, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries, and then was accepted for Undergraduate Flying Training, receiving his pilot wings at Williams AFB, Arizona, in December 1974. After completing C-141 Starlifter advanced training, he served as a C-141 pilot with the 86th Military Airlift Squadron at Travis AFB, California, from March 1975 until his retirement from the Air Force on December 1, 1984. John Davies Flew West on July 23, 2021, and was buried at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Pennsylvania.

His Silver Star Citation reads:

First Lieutenant John O. Davies distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in Southeast Asia on 4 February 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Davies, as an Electronic Warfare Officer, was providing electronic countermeasures to suppress radar controlled antiaircraft artillery and surface to air missiles while his unarmed aircraft maneuvered in an extremely hazardous area. Despite the threat of hostile aircraft and the possibility of lethal missile sites in the area, Lieutenant Davies continued his support mission. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Davies has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.