DAVID G. BUELL, MAJ, USMC
David Buell '69
Lucky Bag
From the 1969 Lucky Bag:
DAVID GRAHAM BUELL
Yorktown, Virginia
Dave came to us from New Mexico Military Institute following in the footsteps of his Dad. Eager to excel, Dave readily adapted himself to the system and earned the respect of all who knew him. His academic efforts paid off with consistent Supt's List and occasional Dean's List awards. While during the week Dave was always cracking a book, weekends were always left for pleasure and the company of a charming young lady. Dave will long be remembered by his classmates for his outstanding leadership qualities, his handstands in the hall, and those ever present puns. Whatever the service holds for Dave's future, the Navy will soon realize that they couldn't have asked for a finer officer.
He was also a member of the 2nd Regiment staff (fall), the 6th Battalion staff (fall), and the Class Ring and Crest Committee.
DAVID GRAHAM BUELL
Yorktown, Virginia
Dave came to us from New Mexico Military Institute following in the footsteps of his Dad. Eager to excel, Dave readily adapted himself to the system and earned the respect of all who knew him. His academic efforts paid off with consistent Supt's List and occasional Dean's List awards. While during the week Dave was always cracking a book, weekends were always left for pleasure and the company of a charming young lady. Dave will long be remembered by his classmates for his outstanding leadership qualities, his handstands in the hall, and those ever present puns. Whatever the service holds for Dave's future, the Navy will soon realize that they couldn't have asked for a finer officer.
He was also a member of the 2nd Regiment staff (fall), the 6th Battalion staff (fall), and the Class Ring and Crest Committee.
Loss
David was lost on November 4, 1983 when his F-4F Phantom jet crashed off the coast of North Carolina. He was the executive officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 115.
Other Information
From Find A Grave, originally the Washington Post on November 17, 1983:
Maj. David Graham Buell, 35, a Marine Corps pilot who was killed Nov. 4 when his F4F Phantom jet crashed off the coast of North Carolina, was a resident of Arlington and a former student at Yorktown High School.
Maj. Buell was the executive officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115, which is based at the Marine Air Station at Beaufort, S.C. A Marine spokesman said the plane crashed about 16 miles southeast of New River, N.C., and that the accident still was under investigation. A crewman, Air Force Capt. Donald Spearel of Clearwater, Fla., an exchange officer, also was killed in the crash.
Maj. Buell was born in Annapolis and moved to Arlington in 1960. After attending Yorktown High, he graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute. He was commissioned in the Marine Corps after graduating in 1969 from the U.S. Naval Academy. He earned a master's degree in aerospace systems at the University of West Florida.
His assignments included duty in Vietnam and Hawaii and at posts in the continental United States, including the Marine base at Quantico.
Survivors include his wife, Kari Hansen Buell, and three children, Thomas, Sarah and Amanda, all of Beaufort; his parents, retired Navy Capt. T.C. Buell of Coronado, Calif., and Jacqueline O. Buell of Falls Church, and two sisters, Carol Buell of Guilford, Conn., and Catherine Buell-McFarlane of Masawa, Japan.
The plane had been orbiting in bad weather while participating in a memorial service at Camp Lejune for the Marines who had been killed in the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.
From the January/February 1984 issue of Shipmate:
Maj. David Graham Buell USMC died in an aircraft accident off the coast of North Carolina when his F-4F Phantom jet crashed at sea. Capt. Donald Spearel USAF of Clearwater, Florida, was also killed in the crash.
Born in Annapolis, Maryland, Maj. Buell was the son of Capt. (USN Ret.) and Mrs. Thomas C. Buell '41, Maj. Buell was graduated with the Class of 1969 and proceeded to Basic School, later taking flight training and being designated naval aviator. His assignments included duty in Vietnam and Hawaii and at posts in the continental United States, including the Marine Base at Quantico. He was assigned as executive officer of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 at Beaufort, South Carolina, at the time of his death. He had earned a master's degree in aerospace systems at the University of West Florida, and he was a member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association.
He is survived by his widow Kari of Laurel Bay, SC; his parents, and two sisters.
Related Articles
James Feeney '69 was also in 32nd Company; David was a swordsman in James' wedding.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
