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Service Details |
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Last Rank
Captain
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Last Rating/NEC Group
Line Officer
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Primary Unit
1968-1969, MAAG Taiwan
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Service Years
1941 - 1972
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Last Photo |
Personal Details
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Home State
Illinois | |
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Year of Birth 1919 |
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This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Steven Loomis (SaigonShipyard), IC3
to remember
Loomis, David, Sr., CAPT.
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
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Contact Info
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Home Town Aurora, Illinois |
Last Address Captain Loomis was interred with his loving wife, Priscilla at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2007.
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Date of Passing Feb 03, 2007 |
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Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia |
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Last Known Activity:
David Fowler Loomis, Sr.
July 1, 1919 - February 3, 2007
CAPTAIN DAVID FOWLER LOOMIS, U.S. Navy, Retired, quietly continued his voyage onward, departing Houston, Texas on Saturday morning, February 3,2007. He was born into a Navy family in Aurora, Illinois on July 1, 1919, to Sam Colby Loomis and Harriet Fowler Loomis. David followed his father's and brother's legacy as graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy; his father, Sam, Class of 1903 and brother, Sam C. Loomis, Jr., Class of 1935. David graduated in 1941. All three retired as Navy Captains.
On June 8, 1946, David married Priscilla Harrington at the Naval Academy Chapel. Subsequently in the 58 years of their marriage and his Navy career, they lived in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Subic Bay, Philippines and Taiwan, Republic of China, as well as numerous other locations across the United States. Captain Loomis had a distinguished 31-year career as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy with 20 seagoing and shoreside billets, including 5 commands. He also received over 27 awards and citations throughout his career.
David retired in May, 1972 and settled in the South Merritt Island/Melbourne, Florida area until August, 2000 when he and Priscilla relocated to Houston, Texas to be closer to family. He is survived by children, David Fowler Loomis, Jr. and his wife Judy C. of Spring, Texas, Paul Harrington Loomis of Oro Valley, Arizona, and Elizabeth Loomis Bryant and her husband Clifton L. of Kenner, Louisiana; grandson, David Fowler Loomis, III and his wife Heather and their children (David's great-grandchildren), Katherine Marie Loomis and Cody David Loomis of Keller, Texas and another grandson, Christopher Raymond Loomis and his wife Jane of Providence Village, Texas.
As his voyage continues and his ship nears the horizon, he appears to be gone; however, this is not so. As he departs from our sight he is appearing to others beyond the horizon watching him arrive. Godspeed, fair winds and following seas.
Captain Loomis will be interred with his loving wife, Priscilla at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2007.
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Other Comments:
David Fowler Loomis, Sr., graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1941; his father, Sam, Class of 1903 and brother, Sam Colby Loomis, Jr., Class of 1935. All three retired as Navy Captains.
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Reflections on CAPT Loomis's
US Navy Service
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TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY?
David Fowler Loomis, Sr., graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1941; his father, Sam, Class of 1903 and brother, Sam Colby Loomis, Jr., Class of 1935. All three retired as Navy Captains.
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ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM HIS/HER SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MADE THEM LAUGH LATER ON?
From the USS HALSEY POWELL (DD-686).
A story told by: Gene LaPorte (1958-60):
There was an officer that I will never forget or cease to admire. His name was David F. Loomis, Commander and Commanding officer of the USS Halsey Powell DD-686.
We were steaming with more ships than our radar screen could even see. The center ship was the USS Columbus and the president of Vietnam was aboard. The entire convoy put on a display of power for him.
We were steaming at flank speed on the outer perimeter of the convoy. At 10:45 Captain Loomis walked from his bridge chair to the aft part of the port bridge. In an instant he yelled, "Man overboard, I have the con." He then deftly maneuvered the high speed Halsey out of formation, around a following ship and picked up the man. The officer resumed the con and wrote in the log book, "10:45, man overboard, 10:57 man back aboard, resumed position in formation."
Once the seaman was back aboard, Captain Loomis started shaking and yelled, "Put that SOB on report!" He then retired to his quarters. It was the Captain's instant reaction and skill that saved the seaman's life. I was at the helm at the time. (Gene LaPorte 1958-60)
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