{"id":6776,"date":"2026-07-22T21:39:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T21:39:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/raleighmovingnews.com\/?p=6776"},"modified":"2026-07-22T21:39:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T21:39:23","slug":"services-planned-for-goldsboro-native-who-died-in-b-52-crash-during-testing-last-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/raleighmovingnews.com\/?p=6776","title":{"rendered":"Services planned for Goldsboro native who died in B-52 crash during testing last month"},"content":{"rendered":"
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GOLDSBORO, N.C. (WNCN) \u2014 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.<\/p>

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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.<\/p>\n

Maj. Alexander \u201cSMO\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

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Maj. Alexander \u201cSMO\u201d Davis (inset) and a group at Edwards Air Force Base gathered to remember those who died in the crash. US Air Force photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Maj. Alexander \u2018SMO’\u201d\u2018 Davis,\u201d his obituary said. \u201cMajor Davis made the ultimate sacrifice while serving his country when the B-52 Stratofortress he was serving aboard crashed at Edwards Air Force Base,\u201d his obituary said.<\/p>\n

Davis was a graduate of Wayne County\u2019s Charles B. Aycock High School, where he played football as a lineman.<\/p>\n

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The Blue Eagles Honor Guard, on behalf of \u201cTorch One One\u201d family members, prepare to attach wreaths to easels holding the images of the fallen B-52 aircrew. More than 1,000 people gathered in an Edwards aircraft hangar June 29 to celebrate the lives of Col. Gregory \u201cEvil\u201d Watson, Lt. Col. Gabriel \u201cJournee\u201d Estrella, retired Lt. Col. Miles \u201cVicky\u201d Middleton, Maj. Alexander \u201cSMO\u201d Davis, Maj. Robert \u201cBolton\u201d Dee, Maj. Brad \u201cSlate\u201d Hovey, Jeromy \u201cBobby\u201d Smith and Christopher \u201cHustler\u201d Rischar. (Air Force photo by Lindsey Gordon)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>

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\u201cAlex was a loving brother, son, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend. He cherished every moment spent with loved ones,\u201d his obituary said.<\/p>\n