More detail on this person: Major David C.
Henry, USAF (Ret.), born September 27, 1937, in
Abington, PA, David died on Friday, December 13,
2013 of a massive heart attack. He graduated from
Abington High School in June, 1955 and enlisted in
the U.S. Air Force November the same year.
David's Air Force career took off when he was
accepted into Officer Candidate School; he
graduated in June, 1960 as a 2nd lieutenant. Pilot
training followed and he won his silver wings in
August, 1961. Education was important to Dave and
he continued his studies, earning a BA in business
in 1973. David distinguished himself during the
Vietnam War as a member of the first Air Force
long range helicopter combat rescue unit, the
Jolly Green Giants. His decorations as a Jolly
Green include the Silver Star, the Distinguished
Flying Cross (3 awards), the Air Medal (8 awards),
and the AF Commendation Medal. He was also
awarded the National Defense Service Medal with
four battle stars, the Vietnam Service Medal (US),
the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm (South
Vietnamese), the Vietnam Service Medal (South
Vietnamese) and the AF Presidential Unit Citation
(the highest AF unit award). A daring flood rescue
earned David the Airman's Medal for Heroism not
involving an armed enemy. He later received a
second award of the Commendation Medal; a
second award of the AF Presidential Unit Citation;
the AF Outstanding Unit Award (2 awards), the
Good Conduct Medal; and the Small Arms
Marksmanship Ribbon. After crew duty as a B-52
Aircraft Commander and various staff assignments,
David retired after twenty-one years of service in
July 1976. Following retirement from the AF David
began his second career as a pilot for Petroleum
Helicopters, Inc. (PHI). After completing 18,000
accident free military, commercial and private
flying hours, he hung up his headset on his 56th
birthday! He continued flying for pleasure
following retirement. In retirement his greatest
pleasure was his loving wife Eulalie "Lee" Henry
until her untimely death in October, 2007. In
January, 2011 David met the lovely Eleanor
Hubbard, they married in August the same year.
They were a joyful loving couple sharing the last
3 years traveling and celebrating life together.
David is survived by his wife Eleanor Hubbard
Henry; his brother Howard "Bush" Henry and wife
Joan, Bryn Athyn, PA; his sister Juliet H. Davis,
Cornwell, PA; and special friends Lisa and Leon
Ferguson, Lafayette. David's birth family was
small but his "chosen family" was large and
diverse; he loved each one with devotion, wit and
humor. Always the great brother, "uncle", and
gracious host - whether the event was planned or
more often, spontaneous. He possessed a rare gift
that formed bonds and strong brotherhoods that
spanned decades, most remember him as their
best friend. Dave was preceded in death by his
father, Howard M. Henry and mother, Katherine
Bush Henry.
David will be interred at Arlington National
Cemetery (date to be determined). A memorial
service lead by the Reverend Ed Boyd followed by a
celebration of life will be held 3 PM, Sunday
January 19, 2014 at the Palmetto Club, 301
Heymann Blvd, Lafayette, LA. Friends are invited
to come and share their "Dave" stories. In lieu of
flowers the family is requesting that donations be
made in Dave's name to your local SPCA or
SpayNation. NEPTUNE SOCIETY OF NEW
ORLEANS is in charge of arrangements.
Published in the The Advertiser from Jan. 15 to
Jan. 19, 2014
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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