ARCHIBALD DAVID J

2LT David J. Archibald was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 07/26/2021 at the age of 78.5
Moline, IL
Flight Class 67-16
Date of Birth 01/08/1943
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with D/1/1 CAV
This information was provided by VVA-526 West LA

More detail on this person: Obituary David John Archibald Jr., 78, of Iowa City, passed away on Monday, July 26, 2021, at Legacy Gardens in Iowa City. David's wishes were to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. No formal services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers or a donation, at David's request, visit somewhere new this week. Take in the trees, architecture, and culture of that space. David was born on January 8, 1943, in Orange, California, the son of David John Archibald Sr. and Wilma Bernice Eddy. He was a good student with perfect grades and perfect attendance at Leuzinger high school in Lawndale, California where he also found a passion for running. He set some school records that have still not been broken. He went on to the University of California Berkeley on a track scholarship. According to the Cal Hall of Fame records, Dave Archibald was the 1964 Pac-8 champion in the 440-yard dash and NCAA and Pac-8 champion in the mile relay in both 1964 and 1965. He finished fourth at the NCAA meet in the 440 (46.0 seconds) in 1964 and took third at nationals a year later with a time of 46.4 seconds. David was part of Cal's mile relay that went undefeated, winning 28 consecutive races against collegiate, national, and international competition. In 1966, he set an unofficial world record in the straight 440-yard dash in Santa Rosa. He was also a member of the U.S. National team that faced Poland (in Chicago) and the USSR (in Palo Alto) in 1962. While in college, he was a proud member of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity where he returned many times when attending a home football game. He joined the Army after college and earned many awards of distinction for his service in Vietnam including a silver star, a distinguished flying cross, a bronze star, and countless mission-specific recognitions. According to his commendations, he was flying an assault helicopter in an extraction mission when he drew enemy fire to himself until the fire could be suppressed and then safely completed the extraction without casualty. Another commendation describes his heroic efforts when his base camp came under intense rocket and mortar attack. A captain at the time, he was able to lead his team through fueling despite simultaneous engagement by insurgents. Using his own gunship, he held off insurgents until the other pilots could fuel and escape. He continued his career around the world. He spent time in Thailand helping to train their pilots. While there, he fell in love with the country. He served in many places abroad and in the United States. He was stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington State with his wife and three small children when he flew recovery missions following the cataclysmic eruption of Mt. St. Helens. In Alabama, he was a test pilot for the newly developed apache helicopter. Near the end of his career, he held a post at the Pentagon. In his last post, he served as chief of the United States Army Kwajalein Field Office via Vandenberg Air Force Base and was also responsible for pushing the button and turning the key that would launch missiles carrying GPS satellites into space. His work with the US Research and Development of Ballistic Missile Defense Programs laid the groundwork for what is now referred to as the U.S. Space Force. After retiring, David and his family settled in Moline, Illinois. Unable to sit still, David took up teaching high school Biology and Earth Sciences, mostly so that he could coach the track and cross-country teams. He had taken up coaching before retiring and was a coach to state champions in California and then Illinois. This new career afforded him the ability to travel, a lot, during winter and summer breaks. In 1998, he retired from teaching and started to travel full time. He traveled the world visiting more than 150 countries over the next 20 years. He travelled until he was no longer able and then settled in Iowa City, IA. To anyone who would listen, he would share about his adventures, his experiences and his love of a cheap motel, food markets, and plant and animal life. David is survived by his children: David (Becky) Archibald of Clarksville, TN; Mark Archibald of Iowa City, IA and Natalie Mulholland of Moline, IL; grandchildren: David, Brooke, Emily, David, and Grayson; and brothers Steven (Elaine) Archibald of Sacramento, CA and Robert (Austene) Archibald of Napa, CA.

Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery

This information was last updated 04/01/2024

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Date posted on this site: 10/23/2024


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