DAVID B. LLOYD, LCDR, USN
David Lloyd '56
Lucky Bag
From the 1956 Lucky Bag:
DAVID BENNETT LLOYD
Joliet, Illinois
Dave was one of those interesting personages for whom you had to do something before you were satisfied. We're quite sure he graduated at the top of his class back in Joliet, but don't bank on Dave to tell you. He was extremely interested in whatever he did, and here it ranged anywhere from academics to cross country. Dave had many outstanding traits, but one with which we were most familiar was his ability to induce others to do their best. This he did in his usual quiet, unassuming and smile provoking manner. To know Dave was to gain experience and confidence.
DAVID BENNETT LLOYD
Joliet, Illinois
Dave was one of those interesting personages for whom you had to do something before you were satisfied. We're quite sure he graduated at the top of his class back in Joliet, but don't bank on Dave to tell you. He was extremely interested in whatever he did, and here it ranged anywhere from academics to cross country. Dave had many outstanding traits, but one with which we were most familiar was his ability to induce others to do their best. This he did in his usual quiet, unassuming and smile provoking manner. To know Dave was to gain experience and confidence.
Loss
Dave was lost when USS Scorpion (SSN 589) sank on May 22, 1968.
Obituary
From USS Scorpion (SSN-589) In Memoriam
David Bennett Lloyd was born June 27, 1934, in Joliet, Ill. While attending Joliet High School, he was valedictorian of his class, president of the Student Council and a member of the National Honor Society. He also won letters in track and wrestling for four years.
Lieutenant Commander Lloyd was accepted as a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1952. He finished third in the class of 1956 and was the winner of the Van Dyke Award at the Academy that year. He was also commander of the 1956 color company.
After graduation from the Academy, he reported to the destroyer Epperson for duty. He entered the Naval Submarine School in Groton, Conn., in December 1957. His first duty in submarines was in U.S.S. Sea Fox, where he served as supply and commissary officer, communications officer, and electronics officer, and he also qualified in submarines. From October 1959 to November 1960, he underwent nuclear training in Vallejo, Calif., Windsor, Conn., and Pittsburgh, Pa.
Lieutenant Commander Lloyd served in the fleet ballistic missile submarine Ethan Allen as assistant electrical officer, reactor control officer, and electrical officer from November 1960 to September 1962.
This was followed by a tour at the nuclear power school in Bainbridge, Md., as an instructor in reactor principles, director of the reactor technology division and director of the enlisted department. In December 1964, he reported to the submarine Skate where he was communications officer, operations officer, and weapons officer. He reported to U.S.S. Scorpion in December 1967. He wore the National Defense Service Medal.
He is survived by his widow, the former Rebecca Ann Robinson of Gales Ferry, Conn. ; sons, David P., Mark R., and Edward Bennett; and daughters, Elizabeth and Susan. He is also survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. Howard Lloyd, of Joliet, Ill.
From USNA '56, circa 2006:
David Lloyd was a head-and-shoulders midshipman and naval officer whose life and career were cut short when as Exec of USS SCORPION he was among the 99 crew members lost in that ship’s sinking in May 1968. Dave stood third in our class, and continued his leadership as a junior officer in the destroyer EPPERSON, the submarines SEA FOX, ETHAN ALLEN (commissioning crew), SKATE and as an instructor at Nuclear Power School. The David Lloyd Award was established at Submarine School New London to honor Dave and to recognize and perpetuate his quest for excellence. It is given to that graduate of the Officers’ Advanced Course who best demonstrates excellence in leadership, military bearing, academic performance, and extra-curricular contributions, as selected by a vote of his classmates, all of whom sign the accompanying certificate.
Dave and his wife Becky have five children: Dave, Liz, Susan, Mark, and Ted, four of whom served in the Navy or married naval officers. Their granddaughter Rebecca, USNA ’02, is serving as Gun Boss on the frigate BAINBRIDGE. Becky has remained a Navy wife, marrying submariner Al Burkhalter, ’51, who adopted the five Lloyd children. Son Chip is a Foreign Service Officer, currently stationed in Zimbabwe. VADM (Ret) Burkhalter and Becky stay close to the Navy and the Academy, living in Annapolis, where we hope to see them at our 50th.
Rebecca, his widow, passed away on December 3, 2016. (Via email from Class of '56 representative on December 4, 2017.)
He has a memory marker in the US Naval Academy cemetery.
Pictures & Correspondence
The pictures and documents below were provided via email by Dave's granddaughter, Rebecca Sauls '02, on January 29, 2018.
From the Lucky Bag
From On Eternal Patrol
In 1969 (or 1970) the Naval Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut established the David Lloyd award for excellence, to be given to the "graduate of the Submarine Officers Advanced Class who demonstrates excellence in leadership, military bearing, academic performance and extra-curricular contributions."
Related Articles
Francis Slattery '54, Daniel Stephens '59, John Burke '63, Charles Lamberth '63, George Farrin '63, John Sweet '64, Laughton Smith '65, and Michael Odening '66 were also aboard USS Scorpion (SSN 589) when she was lost with all hands on May 22, 1968.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
