Taken from the 1981 Gray Centennial book
David K. Summerville, son of Isabelle and William Summerville, was born April 28, 1921. He attended Gray Elementary, Gray High School
graduating with the Class of 1939 and the University of Iowa, 1939-1942.
He enlisted as an aviation cadet in the Army Air Corps in February 1942, and was called to active duty in October of 1942.
He graduated from flight training in August of 1943 and commissioned a 2nd Lt. and received B-17 A.C. Commander training in Roswell,
New Mexico; Salt Lake City; Utah; Dalhart, Texas; and Kearney, Nebraska. He was assigned overseas in March 1944, to the 457th bomb group,
8th Air Force and completed 37 missions over enemy territory in Europe.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster; awarded Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters; and awarded Presidential Citation.
He returned from overseas in August of 1944, and served as advanced instrument instructor on the B-17 in 1944 and 1945. He was discharged from the service in June 1945, as a disabled American Veteran.
He joined Pan American World Airways as a pilot on June 21, 1945, based in Miami, Fla., with routes to Central and South America, Africa and Europe.
In 1946 he was assigned to New York City with routes to
Europe, Africa and Asia. From 1947-50 he was assigned to San Francisco with routes to Australia and Asia. He spent most of 1950 in hospitals with polio.
In 1951 he married Lillian Braun, New York City, and has two children, Sheri, born in 1956 and Scott born in 1961.
From 1950 to 1975 he was based in San Francisco with temporary assignments in Rome, Hong Kong, and Auckland, New Zealand. Flights were all over the world including 36 trips around the world and flying into 114 countries, and 49 of the 50 states.
In 1975 he was removed from flying status on July 8, failing to pass medical examination. Diagnosis was listed as complications from a broken
neck that had existed from an aircraft incident that happened over the Pacific Ocean in 1952.
In 1977 he moved from Saratoga, California, where he had lived for 25 years, to Vista, California, in northern San Diego County for health reasons.
In 1981 he will retire from Pan American Airways as captain after 37 years of employment.
He was the first American citizen to enter Yugoslavia in 1950 when Tito broke with Stalin; he was the NBC network announcer of "Blast-Off" of 2nd flight to the moon in the South Pacific; was on the first flight into Anchorage, Alaska, after its devastating earthquake, and had many special trips taking heads of states, kings, queens, sports' teams, etc. to various destinations around the world.
He was the past commander of the Disabled American Veterans, Sunnyvale Chapter #148; past commander, 5th district, State of California, Disabled American Vets; member of Cupertino Lodge #510, F&AM; member National Order of Trench Rats, Dugout #213, Sacramento, California; and a member of the Vista Lions International.
David Summerville David K. Summerville was born in Gray, Iowa on
April 28, 1921. He was a resident of Vista, California for 29 years. He attended the
University of Iowa from 1939 to 1942. He was a captain in the Army Air Corps during WWII.
David flew 27 missions as a B-17 pilot with the 8th Air Force from England. After the war,
he was a pilot for Pan American Airlines for 37 years until retiring in 1981. He has been to
49 states and visited over 140 countries and been around the world 36 times. David was an active member of many groups and associations, serving in many
capacities. He belonged to the Airline Pilots Association, Retired Airline Pilots Association,
Vista Masonic Lodge #687, National Sojourners, Camp Pendleton #243, Vista Hi-Twelve
Club #454, Heroes of 76, FortyNiner Camp, Camp Pendleton, Scottish Rite in San Diego, Al
Bahr Shrine in San Diego, Palomar Shrine club, San Luis Rey Shrine Club, Sunnyvale
Disabled American Veterans #141, 457th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force, Vista American Legion #365, Vista VFW #7041, Vista Lions Club,
Vista Elks Lodge #1968, Vista Senior Center, Vista 60 Plus Club, Clipper Pioneers, American Numismatic Association, Vista Historical Society,
San Diego Aerospace Museum and Grace Presbyterian Church in Vista. David, 85, passed away November 29, 2006, in Oceanside, California. Interment will be in the Gray Cemetery in Gray, Iowa. Arrangements are the direction of
Allen Brothers Mortuary, Vista Chapel, California.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Lillian (Braun) Summerville in 2001;
and his daughter, Sheri Lee Schaffer, in 2005.
He is survived by his son, W. Scott Summerville of San Marcos; two grandchildren; and
three great-grandchildren.
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Manning Monitor articles ------ 1943
Dave Summerville In Air Corps
Dave is taking his basic flying training having finished on primary at Sequoia Field with
62 hours. He is now flying a 450 H.P. Vulter basic trainer--quite a ship he adds. At Santa Ana David K. Summerville, Aviation Cadet at Santa Ana California, writes, thanking the Legion and Monitor for the paper and adds, It seems so good to read about all the happenings of Manning and vicinity." He says that it is rather warm out there. He has been at the air base over two months and still has another to go. He says he hasn't seen a plane other than in the air, but must go through training first. Dave Summerville, Pilot of B-17 David Summerville writes from Texas, giving us a change of address for the Monitor. Dave can find little good in Texas and says there is only a barb wire fence between Amarillo and the North Pole and since they are only 80 miles north, they get plenty of wind and cold. He is now at an Operational Tactical Unit. He was in Salt Lake City, Utah for 8
days and picked up his crew. He writes, "It is a pretty nice feeling to be 1st Pilot on a
B-17; even though I am the youngest man on my crew."
D.K. Summerville at Ft. Sumner Air Cadet D. K. Summerville writes from Ft. Sumner, N. M. "I am now in an Advanced Flying school, the last step before those coveted wings are issued. This is a twin engine school, preparatory to 4 motored bombers. We have two types of trainers here, the Cessna A.T. 17, and the North American A.T. 6 and the New Fairchild A.T. 14's are soon to be delivered.
"Upon our arrival, we were greeted by the Colonel and he said "Welcome to North Africa."
He has been there and guess he knows. Had our first dust storm this evening and this red
sand starts blowing, its is pretty bad.
"Tell all my friends around Manning hello for me and thanks to the Legion for the paper.
"Oh yes, Fort Sumner is a town of 387 people! And to make matters worse, the banker and
his wife are the only ones who speak English. Lt. Summerville Receives Wings Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Spies entertained at a family dinner Thursday evening honoring her brother, Lt. David Summerville of Fort Sumner, N. M., who is home on furlough. Lt. Summerville, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Summerville a lieutenant in the army air corps received his wings as a pilot August 30 in a class of 96, completing nine months training. There were several other Iowans in the class, including Lt. David M. Thayer, Cedar Rapids; Lt. Gerald H. Staussy, Algona; Lt. Verne Lewis, Des Moines; Lt. Laird P. McDonald, Des Moines and Lt. Grigg of Lawton. Lt. Summerville has completed 271 flying hours. He will report at Roswell, New Mexico for further training Sept. 10. He expects to pilot a B-17. Manning Monitor articles ------ 1944
Lt. Summerville at Roswell, N. M. Somewhere in England May 2, 1944 The Manning Monitor, Manning, Iowa, Gentlemen: Am sorry I haven't written you sooner but things have been happening at rather a furious rate and haven't had much of a chance. As you have probably noticed, I am somewhere in England, and; right now, wonder if I would be to get the Monitor over here. I surely miss it and kindly let me; know the cost and postage fee and I shall be only to glad to return the same to you. Thank the Legion for the many issues I received while in the states.
I was very much surprised and pleased with England. It is a very beautiful place and I can
see why the English people have sacrificed so much to trying to preserve it. Thus far we
have received grand treatment, both from the English Flying Officers and men, and from
the civilians. They are most hospitable. NEWS OF OTHERS IN SERVICE Another B-17 crew left the State. recently headed by 1st Pilot Lt. D. K. Summerville, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Summerville, of Gray. Iowa. Lt. Summerville recently completed his combat training at an army air base and the crew itself has been training for combat the past three months and is now ready to reign destruction on the enemy.
Lt. Summerville is a graduate of the Gray High in 1939, enlisting in the Army Air Corps,
May 15, 1942. Receives Air Medal From the headquarters of the eighth air force in England comes the report that by command of Lieutenant General James Doolittle, the air medal with Oak Leaf Cluster has been awarded to First Lieutenant David K. Summerville, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Summerville. Lt. Summerville received a citation for exceptionally meritorious achievement while participating in sustained bomber combat operations over enemy occupied Continental Europe.
The courage, coolness, and skill displayed by this officer
upon these occasions reflects credit upon himI self and the Armed forces of the United
States. It was signed by General Doolittle, Brigadier General John A. Samford, chief of staff,
and Edward E. Toro, Colonel, A. G. D. Adjutant General. D. F. C. Headquarters 1st Bombardment Division, Office of the Commanding General, APO 557, June 27, 1944.
I. Under the provisions of Army Regulations 600-45, 22 September, 1943, as amended
and pursuant to authority contained in Letter, Hq. Eighth Air Force, File 20.6, 1 June 1944,
subject, "Awards and Decorations," the Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to the
following named Officer: The crew remained at their battle positions and successfully repelled the assaults. Meanwhile Lieutenant Summerville struggled to keep the airplane in level flight as a vibrating engine caused the control column to shake violently. Exerting tremendous pressure against the column to pre. vent stalling, he continued on the long flight back to England. While still deep in Germany two engines caught fire and the crew prepared to jump. At this time they were again attacked by enemy aircraft but the evasive action employed by Lieutenant Summerville succeeded in eluding them. He ordered the crew to remain and exhibiting outstanding skill succeeded in reaching the English channel before being forced to ditch the crippled aircraft. The courage, coolness and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant
Summerville resulted in the safe return of his crew and reflect the highest credit upon
himself and the armed forces of the United States. Entered military service from Iowa.
By command of Major General Williams. Lt. Summerville is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. J. Summerville of near Gray, Iowa, and since this citation has been commissioned a First Leiutenant and Squadron Leader. Flight Lt. David K. Summerville, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Summerville, who has completed the required number of missions over enemy territory, came home last Thursday evening for a 30-day furlough. He is a bomber pilot and squadron leader, stationed in England. Lt. Summerville Completes More Than Score of Bomber Missions An Eighth AAF Bomber Station, England. First Lieutenant David K. Summerville recently received congratulations from his adjutant, First Lieutenant Melvin J. Kieffer, upon completing more than a score of bomber combat missions over Nazi Europe. Lieutenant Summerville is the pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress, and is a veteran of many of the Eighth Air Force's huge daylight bombing assaults against the enemy's military and industrial targets. He has participated in missions against Berlin, Hamburg, Schweinfurt and Munich. Flying through terrific anti-aircraft barrages and vicious enemy fighter attacks, Lieutenant Summerville has used his superior airman-ship many times to reach the enemy's targets and bomb them successfully. His skill and devotion to duty has made it possible for him to bring his aircraft and crew safely back to England though his ship was badly crippled. He has recently been decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross, for his extraordinary achievement while serving as the pilot of a Flying Fortress. His great courage and skill have been an inspiring example to his fellow flyers. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. William E. Summerville, live at Gray, Ia. Prior to his entry into the Army Air Forces in 1942 Lieutenant Summerville was a student at the University of Iowa. Manning Monitor articles ------ 1945 Lt. David Summerville of the Army Air Corps came from Columbus, Ohio Saturday night to spend two days with his parents, Mr, and Mrs. Wm. Summerville and sisters, Mrs. Alfred Spies and Evelyn Summerville. A son was born Sunday, Febr. 18 to Mr. and Mrs, Alfred Spies. Lt. Summerville Accepts Job With Pan-American Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Summerville received word recently that their son, Lt. Dave Summerville, had accepted employment with the PanAmerican Airways. Lt. Summerville, who at present is an instructor at Hendricks Field, Sebring, Floridia, waiting his further orders, was one of 123 chosen for the job out of 1,500 applications. Following a request from the government for the service of many pilots, he went to Tampa, Fla., for an interview and to present his credentials. He later received a telegram from Washington, D. C., stating he had been accepted. Of the twelve men eligible at Hendrichs Fields only three men were accepted. He will be stationed at Miami, Fla., for three months training and will probably fly a C-54 Sky Master or a Constellation. He expects to be home on leave before being transferred from Hendricks Field to Miami.
Lt. Summerville is a graduate of Gray high school in 1939, and had attended the
University of Iowa for a year and a half before enlisting.
He had phase raining at Dalhart, Texas, from Nov. 43 to March 15, 1944. |