David Gould

December 19, 1941 – April 9, 2026

Born in Norwich, NY on December 19, 1941, the son of the late Arthur Wesley Gould and Mildred Elma (Leighton) Gould. Graduate of Norwich High School after attending Boston Latin School, Boston, MA.

Attended the Sullivan School, Washington, DC and received a principal appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy from Vice President Richard M. Nixon.

Received a BS degree in Naval Science upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964 (22nd Co.) and commissioned a Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps. Attended the Basic School at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA and the Naval Air Training Commands at Naval Air Stations Pensacola, FL, Meridian, MS, and Kingsville, TX, where upon completion of flight training, was designated a Naval Aviator.

Reported to VMFA-312, MCAS Beaufort, SC to fly the F-4 Phantom II and served as the Basic Training Officer. During a 1967/68 tour in the Republic of Vietnam, flew 145 combat missions with VMFA-314, Chu Lai, and VMFA-122, Danang, and served as the Air Liaison Officer of the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment. Returning from Vietnam, reported to Station Operations and Engineering Squadron, MCAF, Quantico, VA as the Flight Line Officer. Resigned from active duty in 1970 and accepted a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Initially served as a squadron pilot with VMR-234, NAS Glenview, IL. From February 1971 to November 1972, served with VMA-322, NAS South Weymouth, MA. From December 1972 to January 1985, while assigned to VMFA- 321, NAF Andrews, Washington, DC, billets included; Squadron NATOPS Officer, Aircraft Maintenance Officer, Operations Officer, Executive Officer, and Commanding Officer of the VMFA-321 “Hell’s Angels”.

Completed the Basic Landing Force Aviation Staff Planning Course at NAB Coronado, CA in August 1976, the “Top Gun” Course at Naval Fighter Weapons School, NAS Miramar, CA in October 1978, the Aviation Safety Command Course, NPGS Monterrey, CA in August 1983, and the Reserve Components National Security Course, Vandenberg AFB, CA in November 1986.

Decorations include the Air Medal (11 awards), the Combat Action Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Organized Marine Corps Reserve Medal (1 star), the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal (4 stars), the USMC Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (bronze star), the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Flew approximately 3,400 hours in the F-4 Phantom II,

F-8 Crusader, A-4 Skyhawk, and other transport and trainer aircraft. Retired from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve at the rank of Colonel in 1987.

In 1970, he joined  Eastern Air Lines following furlough from Northwest Airlines. As a Second Officer and First Officer, flew the L188, B727, and DC9 aircraft. 17 years later, with Eastern in turmoil and approaching bankruptcy, commenced a new start with American Airlines. Flew the B727, MD80, B757, B767, and B737 aircraft. Served as a union domicile representative and vice president with the Allied Pilots Association. On December 18, 2001, retired as a Boeing 737-800 Captain having flown approximately 17,000 hours.

After retirement, studied visual art at Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, MD, from 2004 thru 2009. Hobbies were painting landscapes and portraits in oil and flying radio control model aircraft. Served as a club officer for the Chesapeake Bay Radio Control Club, MD and the Wilmington Model Flying Club, NC. In 2013, settled in Porters Neck Plantation, Wilmington, NC. Moved to Knoxville, TN during 2023.

He was a life member of the Military Officers Association of America and the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and member of the Marine Corps Aviation Association, Association of Naval Aviation, North Carolina Cape Fear Chapter of the USNA Alumni Association, ILM Hangar Quiet Birdmen, and the St. Therese Council 12885 Knights of Columbus.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Deidre (Carlson) Gould, who he married on May 1, 1965 at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, DC; daughter, Paige Elizabeth (Mark) Brumit of Knoxville, TN; son, David Wesley Gould Jr. of Wilmington, NC; three grandchildren, Marayah Elizabeth Gould, Ani Leighton Gould, and Reeve Elizabeth Brumit; brothers, Richard Leighton Gould of Marion, OH and Christopher Wesley (Yuphadee) Gould of Alachua, FL; sisters, Carollinn Gould of Englewood, FL, Jennifer Dawn Gould of Trumansburg NY and Ame Getter (Ron) of

Urbana, OH; stepmother, Karen Gould of Urbana, OH. Preceding him in death were his parents, stepmother Patricia Wiktorek of Spotsylvania, VA, and sister, Patricia Jay (Carl) Evans of La Vergne, TN.