Daniel L. Davis

Daniel L. Davis is a retired United States Army officer and an analyst of United States foreign policy. He was one of the earliest military officers to publicly criticize the War in Afghanistan.

Early life and education
Davis was raised in Dallas, Texas, and enlisted in the Army in 1985. He briefly left military service to complete his bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University, then was commissioned a second lieutenant through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He later received a master's degree in international relations from Troy University.

Career
Davis served in Germany and Iraq, earning the Bronze Star during Operation Desert Storm. Later, Davis left the Army to work in the private sector, while continuing to serve in the United States Army Reserve.

In 2002, after the September 11 attacks, Davis returned to active duty. He was initially posted to the Pentagon.

During his second deployment to Afghanistan, Davis was decorated with a second Bronze Star. But he was disturbed by what he felt was a program of official deception being presented to the public on the success of the War in Afghanistan. In 2012, after returning to the United States, he sent a report on his observations to the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General. Unclassified versions of the report were copied to several members of the United States Congress and the New York Times.

Davis also wrote an article, "Truth, Lies, and Afghanistan: How Military Leaders Have Let Us Down”, published by Armed Forced Journal in February 2012. The article drew praise from several U.S. lawmakers and drew national press coverage, including by the New York Times , Time, and NPR.

The Project On Government Oversight has described him as "one of the earliest public critics inside the military speaking out about the mounting failures in the Afghanistan War". He was awarded the Ridenhour Prize for Truth-Telling in 2012 for his report.

Davis later retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel.

As of 2023, he is a Senior Fellow at the Defense Priorities Foundation.

Personal life
According to Davis, his favorite film is Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.