Davin Lars Andersen was born in New London, Connecticut on Earth in 2343. He was one of seven children of Akrik and Inkeri Andersen, Swedish missionaries of the Foundationist movement. While in his teens, Davin and his siblings became friends with Benjamin Bartholomew, a cadet at Starfleet Academy's New London campus. Davin looked up to Bartholomew, and joined the Academy in 2361. He was assigned to Echo Squadron, and Ben served as his cadre supervisor.