LCDR DAVID K. SHIVERDECKER, USN
Lucky Bag Yearbook
From the 1959 Lucky Bag:
DAVID K. SHIVERDECKER
Second Company
Sam attended the University of Cincinnati for two years before he entered the Academy. Once settled, he became well known for his cheerful smile and ready wit. His “silver” trademark became a familiar sight along the corridors of Bancroft. During his stay here, Sam became active in varsity athletics and was a stellar player for the 150 pound football team during his last three years. Sam didn’t limit his activities to the athletic field, however. He took part in various extracurricular activities and still found time to stand in the upper quarter of his class academically.
Loss
David was lost on August 23, 1971 when the C-2 Greyhound he was piloting crashed near Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. The other pilot and a civilian engineer were also killed.
Other Information
From the November 1971 issue of Shipmate:
LCdr. David Kent Shiverdecker, USN, was killed in an aircraft accident near the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Md., on 23 August [1971]. Memorial services were held in the NAS, Patuxent Chapel 26 August; interment was in Arlington National Cemetery.
A native of Greenville, Oh., he attended the U. of Cincinnati a year before entering the Naval Academy. Following graduation in 1959 he completed flight training and won his wings in February 1961.
During the period 1961 to 1965 Cdr. Shiverdecker had Replacement Pilot training in VS-30 and then was attached to VS-36 and on the Staff of Carrier Anti-Submarine Group 58. In 1965 he began a three year tour at the Naval Plant Representative Office, Bethpage.
Following Replacement Pilot training in VA-42 in October 1968, he served with VA-176 as Weapons Officer and Maintenance Officer while flying A-6 “Intruder” aircraft. He next was assigned as a student Naval Test Pilot School. After graduation in June 1971 he was ordered to the Flight Test Division of the Naval Air Test Center and served as Operations/Maintenance Branch Head and a Carrier Suitability Project Pilot.
Surviving are his widow, Marcia, 321A Callahan Dr., Great Mills, MD 20634; a daughter, Elizabeth; his mother; a brother; and two sisters.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
David, who went by his middle name Kent, graduated from Greenville High School in 1954. He was student football manager, was a letterman in basketball and baseball, belonged to the Hi-Y club, and was elected to the National Honor Society.
He attended the University of Cincinnati’s college of engineering for one year. He was a member of Theta Chi.
David played on the Navy team at the Eastern Little League 150 pound game against Army in October 1957. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was in attendance as well as David’s parents, sister, and brother.
David married Marcia Gambacorta on April 16, 1960, at the Naval Academy chapel.
Attached to Training Squadron 27, he completed his flight training in February 1961, at the Naval Auxiliary Air Station in New Iberia, Louisiana.
In November 1967, David was promoted to lieutenant commander. He was stationed at the Grumman Aircraft Company in Long Island where he flew F-111 jets for final test flights before acceptance by the Navy. He served as a Signalman aboard the Randolph Aircraft Carrier when one of the first astronauts was picked up after his orbital flight.
David is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Photographs
Related Articles
Charles Marron ‘59 was also a member of 2nd Company.
Dale Fendorf ‘59 was also on the 150 Pound Football team.
David is one of 32 members of the Class of 1959 on Virtual Memorial Hall.
