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GOLDSBORO, N.C. (WNCN) — A Goldsboro native will be remembered during services this week after he was among eight who died in a B-52 crash during testing in California last month.
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The June 15 crash at Edwards Air Force Base claimed the lives of U.S. service members and at least two Boeing employees who were on a flight to test upgrades to the B-52 Stratofortress, the U.S. Air Force said.
Maj. Alexander “SMO” Davis, 34, who served with the 419th Flight Test Squadron in support of the B-52 Stratofortress modernization program, died in the crash that happened soon after takeoff. Davis served in the past as a Weapon Systems Officer in B-52s and was a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, his obituary said.
Davis, who was promoted to Major in April 2025, considered Goldsboro his hometown after his family moved to the Wayne County city when he was just two years old, according to his obituary.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Maj. Alexander ‘SMO’”‘ Davis,” his obituary said. “Major Davis made the ultimate sacrifice while serving his country when the B-52 Stratofortress he was serving aboard crashed at Edwards Air Force Base,” his obituary said.
Davis was a graduate of Wayne County’s Charles B. Aycock High School, where he played football as a lineman.
He graduated from North Carolina State University in 2015 with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
While in the Air Force, Alex continued his studies, earning a Master of Science in Space Studies from American Military University and a Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering from the United States Air Force Test Pilot School.
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“Alex was a loving brother, son, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend. He cherished every moment spent with loved ones,” his obituary said.
A Goldsboro Fire Department crew who honored Maj. Alexander “SMO” Davis as his body was transported to Goldsboro from RDU Airport on Tuesday. Goldsboro Fire Dept. photo 
The B-52 that crashed in a 2025 earlier US Air Force photo showing the radar upgrades that are part of the modernization program. Maj. Alexander “SMO” Davis (inset) and a group at Edwards Air Force Base gathered to remember those who died in the crash. US Air Force photos Senior Airman Christian Yokotake and fellow Airmen of the Blue Eagles Honor Guard, on behalf of “Torch One One” family members, prepare to attach wreaths to easels holding the images of the fallen B-52 aircrew. More than 1,000 people, including Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David Wolfe, gathered in an Edwards aircraft hangar June 29 to celebrate the lives of Col. Gregory “Evil” Watson, Lt. Col. Gabriel “Journee” Estrella, retired Lt. Col. Miles “Vicky” Middleton, Maj. Alexander “SMO” Davis, Maj. Robert “Bolton” Dee, Maj. Brad “Slate” Hovey, Jeromy “Bobby” Smith and Christopher “Hustler” Rischar. (Air Force photo by Lindsey Gordon) 
Two B-52H Stratofortress aircraft based out of Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, and Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, fly over the Edwards AFB airfield at the conclusion of a memorial service held on June 29, 2026, at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The June 15 crash claimed the lives of Col. Gregory “Evil” Watson, Lt. Col. Gabriel “Journee” Estrella, retired Lt. Col. Miles “Vicky” Middleton, Maj. Alexander “SMO” Davis, Maj. Robert “Bolton” Dee, Maj. Brad “Slate” Hovey, Jeromy “Bobby” Smith and Christopher “Hustler” Rischar. The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff during a routine test mission. The cause remains under investigation. The memorial service brought together the families of the fallen, members of Team Edwards, local civic leaders and senior Air Force officials. (Air Force photo by Kyle Brasier)
Davis is survived by his mother, Karen Davis; his father, Douglas Davis; his brother, Zachary Davis; and his sister-in-law, Stephanie Lola, his obituary said.
The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home, 1300 Wayne Memorial Drive in Goldsboro.
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A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary at Saint Mary Roman Catholic Church at 1603 Edgerton Street in Goldsboro. Davis will be laid to rest with full military honors on Friday at 2 p.m. at Greenleaf Memorial Park at 900 River Road in New Bern.
Davis’ obituary said the family will also gather on Friday at 6 p.m. for a Celebration of Life at Homewood Suites Meeting Room at 3120 Wayne Memorial Drive in Goldsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to Air & Space Forces Aid Society or Fisher House Foundation.
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