DAVID L. R. TRUNDY, 1LT, USMC
David Trundy '78
Lucky Bag
From the 1978 Lucky Bag:
DAVE TRUNDY
"Dave will develop into a fine Naval Officer." So ended many a grease chit written about Dave. But we all knew he'd never be happy unless he ended up in a green flying machine. If one word could characterize Dave, it would be change. Before he got to Navy, he changed states once a year whether he needed it or not. He began wanting to fly fighters for the A.F., switched to Navy fighters, and ended up wanting to fly Cobras. He never could make up his mind! But Dave was really serious about USNA, how many other guys brassoed their spiffies. Dave decided to change from Tech to Bull. He loved sailing, but changed to less aggressive sports like soccer and football. The girls of his life changed until he found a cute Wyoming cowgirl. However, it took the Lord to change the most important things in Dave's life, his heart and outlook on life.
DAVE TRUNDY
"Dave will develop into a fine Naval Officer." So ended many a grease chit written about Dave. But we all knew he'd never be happy unless he ended up in a green flying machine. If one word could characterize Dave, it would be change. Before he got to Navy, he changed states once a year whether he needed it or not. He began wanting to fly fighters for the A.F., switched to Navy fighters, and ended up wanting to fly Cobras. He never could make up his mind! But Dave was really serious about USNA, how many other guys brassoed their spiffies. Dave decided to change from Tech to Bull. He loved sailing, but changed to less aggressive sports like soccer and football. The girls of his life changed until he found a cute Wyoming cowgirl. However, it took the Lord to change the most important things in Dave's life, his heart and outlook on life.
Loss
David was lost on September 18, 1981 when the helicopter he was aboard crashed while returning from a training flight to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.
Other Information
From The Charlotte Observer on September 23, 1981:
(Marine spokesman) Bratten said the men's helicopter left on a night training mission from Bogue Field near Swansboro. On the way to the Cherry Point base the aircraft, which was flying with three other helicopters, turned away from the flight formation and disappeared from view....
"We have no idea what caused the crash," Bratten said. "Nothing we've found so far gives us any clue to why it went down."
From researcher Kathy Franz:
After high school, he enlisted in the Air Force and his father administered the oath to him.
In June 1980 in Pensacola, David was a sword bearer along with Lts. Curt Perry and Greg Bauer at Ensign Leslie Elizabeth Haynes' wedding to Lt. j. g. Scott Matthew Provow. Lt. j.g. Jeffrey Carpenter was the best man. Groomsmen were Lt. j.g. Gene Miller, and Lts. Paul Leutheuser, John Seaberg, and Duane Marlowe.
In November, he and his wife Kimberley reported to New River Marine Corps Air Station, New River, Jacksonville, N.C.
From USNA '78:
First Lieutenant David Richard Trundy USMC was killed in an AH-1T (Cobra) crash near Cherry Point, North Carolina, on 18 September 1981.
Appointed to Naval Academy after attending the Air Force Academy Prep School, Dave was assigned to the 26th Company. He was an active member of the Officers Christian Fellowship, which is where he met his future wife, Kim Clover. He was selected as the 2nd Set Brigade Commander and received the Class of 1897 award and a Marine Corps commission upon graduation. After attending Basic School in Quantico, he reported to flight school and selected helicopter training. He received his wings on 18 July 1980 and was selected to the AH-1T Cobra, reporting aboard HMA-269 in September 1980. The accident occurred while returning from a night ordnance mission.
He is survived by his wife Kim...; a daughter Beth; and his parents BGen. (USMC) and Mrs. Richard T. Trundy.
David is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Related Articles
Doyle Beam '74 was also lost in this crash.
David is one of 5 members of the Class of 1978 on Virtual Memorial Hall.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
