TOP CHARACTER STRENGTHS

BRAVERY - LEADERSHIP - HUMILITY

David grew up in Bradford, New Hampshire. He knew from the age of six that he wanted to serve in the military, and that's just what he did, joining the Army after high school and gaining the Honor Grad Award in basic training in 2004. He served two combat tours in Afghanistan and then achieved his dream of becoming a Special Forces soldier Green Beret.

David enlisted in the New Hampshire National Guard in 2008 as a carpentry and masonry specialist. He earned many awards, including the Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Army Achievement Medal (4th award), Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. David was a student in the Combat Diver Qualification Course (CDQC) assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group, U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. He also earned an associates degree in criminal justice from NHTI in Concord in 2012.

In 2013 David came on active duty and was assigned to the 6th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Engineer Brigade, Fort Richardson, Alaska. During this time in Alaska, he volunteered for a humanitarian mission to Palau to rebuild roads, schools and hospitals. In 2014 David volunteered for Special Forces training. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Courses in 2016. David was known by those who were close to him as a free spirit. He enjoyed the outdoors and spending time with his friends and family. He was amazing at everything he did. He was my hero and he passed doing what he loved: training to be a better leader at a new job.

Character Strength Story:

BRAVERY - David did two tours in Afghanistan and took leadership roles while at war and was extremely brave. Every time my mom and I do the run for the fallen in Waterville, NH, we meet someone new who served with him and they tell us stories of how brave he was or how he was an incredible leader, always going first to protect his team.

LEADERSHIP - He applied for every job advancement he could and did any humanitarian effort he could to better himself and help others. He was a leader in everything he did. He was a mason and a carpenter and spent more than six months in Palau rebuilding a village of homes that were devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.  There is a photo of him dressed up as Santa playing with the children there, and bringing joy to them during a difficult time. 

HUMILITY - David graduated Special Forces training and did not tell anyone in the family. When he came home for a visit he never bragged or even told us. He was always so modest and never wanted to make a big deal about himself—but he was always a big deal in my eyes!

—Submitted by April, Surviving Sister