David Lovitt - Specialist Four

Rank: Specialist Four
Date Of Birth: Dec 13, 1947
Date Of Death: Mar 6, 1969
War / Conflict: Vietnam
Hometown: Clarinda, Iowa
Gold Star Hall - Wall Location: Southeast Wall (Top Portion)
Service Ribbons Awarded:
  • Bronze Star with V (for valor)

Biography

David Glen Lovitt was born on December 13, 1947, in Clarinda, Iowa. His parents were farming north of Bedford, Iowa, where David grew up with his younger sister, Patti.

David lived his entire life on that farm north of Bedford. It was the love of his life and he hoped to one day to run it with his father.

He attended grade school in Gravity and graduated from Bedford Community High School in1966. He was a member of the Bedford Methodist Church.

David was a cub scout as a youngster and in high school was a member of FFA – Future Farmers of America. He enjoyed the out -of-doors and kept himself busy building tree houses, fishing, playing with the family pets, and was always right beside his father helping with what was needed. In high school, David helped out on the class play crew, was on the parliamentary procedure team, a member of the Letterman’s Club and worked part time at the Lake of Three Fires running the boat rentals.   

He was learning to play the guitar and while he never got it totally mastered, he had fun entertaining family and friends with what he had taught himself. David’s sister, Patti, recalled that family and friends were a big part of David's life.  He was a friend to all whether they were old or young.

Jerry Wetzel was one of David’s teachers; he wrote, “I taught David in American History classes at Bedford and I also was an assistant high school football coach. David played on the team as an offensive lineman, and while he was not a great player, he always worked hard. He was a great kid. I believe football was the only sport he participated in. He undoubtedly had farm duties that made it hard to do school activities.”

After graduating from high school, he attended the winter quarter at Iowa State from November 1966 to February 1967 as an Agriculture special student. Many young people engaged in farming took advantage of winter quarter agriculture classes since they were scheduled after the harvest and before spring planting. David was farming with his father and because he was working, was unable to escape the draft.  He entered the Army in January 1968.  

He went through basic training at Fort Bliss and advanced infantry training at Fort Polk, LA. Following a furlough in June 1968, he shipped to Vietnam where he was assigned to the 25th Infantry.

Specialist 4 Lovitt was the driver of the command armored personnel carrier for the 22nd battalion.

In early March 1969, his parents received R&R orders to meet David in Hawaii on March 18. But prior to their departure, they received word that he was missing in action in Tay Ninh province, South Vietnam. Word was soon received that he had died on March 6 in an ambush during a combat operation.

In his award for the Bronze Star, it noted that when his unit encountered a hostile force, he had turned his vehicle into the heavy enemy fire and assaulted the fortification. Despite a direct hit by a rocket propelled grenade, he maintained control of the vehicle until he was able to subdue the opposition. David was cited for his personal bravery, aggressiveness and devotion to duty.