DAVID R. THORNHILL, LTJG, USN
David Thornhill '48
Lucky Bag
From the 1948 Lucky Bag:
DAVID RANDOLPH THORNHILL
San Francisco, California
Being a Navy Junior, Dave was almost a sure thing to be nicknamed Navy Davy . . . and his serious attitude about the Naval Academy and the Navy in general, further emphasize the significance of the title. Though having traveled and lived in many places Dave claims California as his home state . . . spent his last years of high school and a year of college there . . . thus joining the ranks of expounders of the virtues of the Golden State. Dave's interests vary as regularly as the Maryland weather, but two remain invariably the same . . . the inevitable women . . . and the biggest, oldest possible cars. Dave took the four years at Navy completely in stride . . . the average student . . . yet possessing great ability to think things out for himself . . . further aiding his inclination to be independent. Slow to make a decision, yet inalterable once made, Dave's self-confidence is a valuable asset. Easygoing . . . quiet . . . soft spoken . . . agreeable, yet reserved in manner all add greatly to Dave's particular charm. A grand liberty companion . . . Dave is ready to go anytime . . . plans or no plans . . . always comes back having had a great time. Refuses only one thing for a buddy . . . dragging blind . . . believes there are too many beautiful girls in the world to take a chance.
David was a member of the 2nd Battalion Staff in the fall. He graduated from the 6th Company with the class of 1948-B in June 1948. (The top half of the class academically, designated 1948-A, graduated in June 1947 as the last wartime-accelerated class.)
DAVID RANDOLPH THORNHILL
San Francisco, California
Being a Navy Junior, Dave was almost a sure thing to be nicknamed Navy Davy . . . and his serious attitude about the Naval Academy and the Navy in general, further emphasize the significance of the title. Though having traveled and lived in many places Dave claims California as his home state . . . spent his last years of high school and a year of college there . . . thus joining the ranks of expounders of the virtues of the Golden State. Dave's interests vary as regularly as the Maryland weather, but two remain invariably the same . . . the inevitable women . . . and the biggest, oldest possible cars. Dave took the four years at Navy completely in stride . . . the average student . . . yet possessing great ability to think things out for himself . . . further aiding his inclination to be independent. Slow to make a decision, yet inalterable once made, Dave's self-confidence is a valuable asset. Easygoing . . . quiet . . . soft spoken . . . agreeable, yet reserved in manner all add greatly to Dave's particular charm. A grand liberty companion . . . Dave is ready to go anytime . . . plans or no plans . . . always comes back having had a great time. Refuses only one thing for a buddy . . . dragging blind . . . believes there are too many beautiful girls in the world to take a chance.
David was a member of the 2nd Battalion Staff in the fall. He graduated from the 6th Company with the class of 1948-B in June 1948. (The top half of the class academically, designated 1948-A, graduated in June 1947 as the last wartime-accelerated class.)
Loss
David was one of the 103 officers and crew of USS Bennington (CVA 20) lost when a catapult exploded on May 26, 1954. It seems that he was a ship's officer and not a member of an embarked squadron or staff.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
His father was Rear Admiral Henry Ehrman Thornhill (ret). His mother was Lily Ruth, and his older brother was Henry, Jr. His wife was Mary Jean (nee Fox) Thornhill, and sons were Anthony and David Randolph, Jr.
David was born in Louisiana, and as a military son moved often -- to Pennsylvania in 1930, Washington, D. C. in 1935, and the Navy Yard in Charleston, South Carolina in 1940. In August 1941 he and his mother sailed to Honolulu. David spent two years at Coronado High School and graduated in 1942. Under Memories: Thornhill trying to bring back snow in his car.
His yearbook also mentioned an influx of students after December 7, 1941.
In November 1949, he was an ensign, and he and his brother Lieutenant Henry were at a birth christening in Honolulu.
David was a lieutenant in Korea in 1951, and in February, was on the destroyer USS Ozbourne taking part in bombardments of the Korean coast and patrol duty in the Formosa area. He was due home by Christmas. His son David had just been born on October 31.
He is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.
Photographs
1948-B 6th Company
From his high school yearbook
Related Articles
Don Stephens '48 and David Swenson, Jr. '48 were also in 6th Company.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
