David C. Andre

NEW BERN - Colonel David C. "Dave" Andre, USMC (ret) went to be with our Lord on June 4, 2012 after fighting an extended illness. Dave, a member of "The Greatest Generation" was born in Lake Worth, FL in 1919 and attended the University of Miami on a swimming scholarship. He graduated with a business degree in 1941 and entered the United States Marine Corps. Having always had a love for airplanes, he earned a pilot slot and soon graduated from flight school at Pensacola, FL as the top graduate of his class. As a new Naval Aviator, Dave found himself deep in combat in the South Pacific. One of his most harrowing experiences was being shot down over Guadalcanal on December 21, 1943. After ditching his F4F Wildcat aircraft into the ocean, he swam about a mile to an island where he survived by collecting rainwater from palm leaves. On Christmas day 1943, he was rescued by natives who were dispatched by a local Australian coast watcher named Kennedy. The natives transported Dave in a dugout canoe to rendezvous with a US rescue plane. Dave was ultimately transported back to Efate Island to recover from malaria and the wounds he suffered in the attack. For his actions in World War II, Dave was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Gold Star, Purple Heart, Navy Commendation Medal with V Device and the Air Medal with 5 gold stars.

After the war Dave settled in Southern California and became involved in the banking industry. He retired in 1988 and moved first to Whidbey Island, WA before settling in New Bern in 1995. Throughout his life, Dave enjoyed time with family and friends and was an avid golfer and tinkerer.

Dave is survived by his wife Lorna Andre; sister, Mildred Burress of Atlanta, Ga.; children, Anne Gunter and husband Scott of Annandale, N.J. and Colonel Fred Meyer and wife Robin of West Point, N.Y.; and five grandchildren whom he loved very much, David, Katie, Abby, John and Will.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. Friday at Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Bill Wingard and Pastor Dwight Williams officiating. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made in his memory to Calvary Baptist Church, P. O. Box 1089, New Bern, NC 28563.

Online condolences may be directed to www.pollockbest.com.

Arrangements are by Pollock-Best Funerals & Cremations.