Jamestown. PA
U.S. Army – War on Terror
David was born on September 15, 1980, in Greenville, PA. He grew up in a small town of Jamestown, PA. He was the star basketball player for Jamestown and also enjoyed outside sports. Graduating from Jamestown High School in 1999, David enlisted in the Army and began his training at Fort Benning, GA, where he completed jump school and training as a paratrooper. He was assigned to C Co 3rd US Infantry Regiment. David served three years with the Old Guard in Washington, D.C., at Arlington National Cemetery.
When his enlistment was up in 2002, David entered the University of Maine and majored in Wildlife Ecology and at the same time, joined the Maine Army National Guard Bravo Company 3/172 Infantry. While studying for his degree, David received numerous awards and citations for his contributions and academic records. He worked with all types of animals, both land and marine life. He became a fellow in an honors program to work with middle school students in science.
While in Maine, David enjoyed hiking, mountain climbing, watching moose in some of the wilderness areas in Maine. He loved to kayak rivers, lakes and off the ocean coastline. Whenever he came home for a visit, his kayak was always on the roof of his car!
In March of 2006, David deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. David felt he wanted to support his country just like his dad had in Vietnam and grandfather in World War II. David was killed in action on May 6, 2006, from injuries received from an lED south of Baghdad.
David was posthumously awarded a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Wildlife Ecology, magna cum laude. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 60, with so many other fallen heroes. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Airborne Wings and the Bronze Star with Valor.
We will continue to honor David and his fellow soldiers who continue to serve and sacrifice in the name of freedom. Our family has started a memorial scholarship fund in David’s honor. We hold a golf scramble each August to raise money for three $1,000 scholarships given to chosen seniors in Mercer and Crawford counties.
David was only 25 years old, but he lived everyday to be the best he could be. David always looked to capture the best that life had to offer… be it as a basketball player, a scientist on the ocean, or an avid hiker in the mountains of Maine, he “seized the day” in everything he did. He was well respected and loved by everyone who knew him. There is never a day that goes by that we don’t think about him and the many good memories we had. The tears still always come for no reason. We all love David for who he was in our lives and his memory will never die.
