Posted by Terry Powers on January 16, 2023:

DAVID G. FREEMAN 1949 Cullum No. 17316-1949 | May 31, 2014 | Died in Deland, FL Interred in Arlington National Cemetery, VA David Gray Freeman was born at Camp Lewis, WA on November 8, 1926, the fourth of five sons to James W. (Class of Nov 1918) and Henrietta (Brawley) Freeman. He spent his boyhood at various Army camps in the United States. His father was a carrier officer with over 35 years of service, serving in both World Wars I and II. Dave graduated from Devitt School in Washington, DC in 1945. It's fitting to note that while his family was stationed in DC, Dave and his younger brother Robert would mow the lawn at Arlington National Cemetery during the summer months. In July 1945, Dave entered the Military Academy, where he excelled and was known for his sense of humor and ability to make friends. Upon graduating from West Point, he was commissioned in the Field Artillery and joined the Army as second lieutenant at Fort Riley for the Ground General School Course. In 1950 he continued on to Field Artillery Basic at Fort Sill, OK. Upon completion, Dave volunteered for the Airborne School and earned his jump and glider wings in 1950. His first duty assignment was slated to be Fort Wainwright, AK, but fearing he would miss the "action" in the Far East, he called a friend of his father in DC and got his orders changed to Korea. Dave was assigned to the 647th Artillery Battalion of the 187 Regimental Combat Team of 11th Airborne Division ('Rakkasans'). Before reporting to Korea and while at the Repo Depot in Japan, he ran into a friend who was returning to his unit after being wounded. After being issued all his tactical equipment, Dave asked his friend what a new young lieutenant needed most in Korea. His friend's advice was to "get rid of all that stuff and take a case of whiskey." Dave promptly showed up with a square duffle bag along with all his other gear and spent many a night playing cards with fellow classmates. While in Korea he earned his senior jump wings along with a combat star during Operation Tomahawk in Munsa-an-ni, Korea. Dave continued to serve the Army, including tours at Fort Benning, GA, where he met his wife, Nina Jean Lester. He knew she was the one for him when after dating only a few weeks she agreed to take a buddy jump off the 250ft tower. A "malfunction" on the tower caused the cable not to release, and Nina quickly grabbed hold of Dave while losing her glasses, shoes and pocketbook. Friends wonder if it was truly a malfunction. While at Benning, Dave ran into an old friend and told him of his desire to marry Nina. The friend told Dave that was the best decision he could ever make. Dave and Nina married soon after and started a family during tours at Fort Bliss, TX, Fort Sill and Heilbronn, Germany. In the mid-1960s, Dave returned to Korea for a hardship tour, where he served as XO of 7th Division Artillery and Battalion Commander of 1st Bn., 79th Field Artillery, 7th Division, leaving his family in Tallahassee, FL. Returning from Korea, he reunited with his family and took an assignment in New Jersey as the professor of Military Science at Princeton University. Halfway into his tour, the ROTC offices of the Air Force, Army and Navy were fire bombed by the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), while protesting the war in Vietnam. The times they were a changing. He retired from the Army in 1970 as a lieutenant colonel, having received the Bronze Star for Valor, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal and Korean Service Medal with four battle stars and one arrowhead. Throughout his military career and beyond, Dave accumulated a wealth of friends. Those who served with him in the Army remember him as having a sly wit and a dry sense of humor. Dave loved the Lord, his wife and family, and left us on May 31, 2014. Dave is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nina Jean Freeman of DeLand, FL; three daughters: Tamzin A. Freeman of Evans, GA; Pamela F. Coffman of St. Cloud, FL; and Rebecca F. Hoag of Knoxville, TN; son, David W. Freeman of Evans, GA; and brother, Colonel (Retired) Robert F. Freeman '52 of Lake Lure, NC. Dave had 11 grandchildren and one great-grandson, who was born shortly after his death and named in his honor. He was interred at Arlington in December 2014, resting near his father and brother. His family, and those who knew him, dearly loved him. He was a man of impeccable honesty, integrity, honor and forthrightness. The world doesn't make many like him. His wife, Nina, has said that she fell in love with him all over again during his last years when he was at his weakest stage of life and no longer the strong independent soldier she first loved. She remarked that it's not only the glorious battles in life that define you, but sometimes the battles at the end of life that reveal your true character. (www.westpointaog.org/memorial-article?id=94107eca-0359-49a7-86cb-76ad57ac13c8 also has few photos)

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