David was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his selfless sacrifice. His actions saved the lives of his comrades during an ambush. He and his Lance Corporal gunners mate set up a machine gun to cover the retreat of their company. Both were lost. I spoke to his commanding officer a few years ago and both those soldiers were given the option to stay behind on that patrol because they were each short timers. neither would allow their company to go out there without their protection. 40 years later and he still, clearly remembered the details and honored their memory.

Jeff Flaharty, First Cousin