Capt. Dave Saunders (1921-2004)'s Page

In Memory of Commander Dave Saunders (1921-2004)

Commander David M. SAUNDERS, USN, Commanding Officer of Air Anti¬-Submarine Squadron THIRTY FOUR, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1944. He reported aboard the light cruiser MIAMI operating with the Fast Carrier Task Forces in the Southwest Pacific area. In August of 1945 Commander SAUNDERS entered flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in early 1947.
Commander SAUNDERS I first assignment as an aviator was with VPHL-4. While attached to this squadron, he served as Officer-in-Charge of the Navy first guided missile program, the BAT. In 1948, Commander SAUNDERS reported to VC-5, the Navy first Heavy Attack Squadron. VC-5 began flying with specially modified P2VIS and conducted the first evaluations of carrier-based heavy attack operations from the deck of the USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT.

In 1949, Commander SAUNDERS entered the Naval Postgraduate School. Following two years of study, he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship to Continue his studies at Princeton University in the field of jet propulsion. In June of 1952, he received his Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

The following years saw Commander SAUNDERS flying with VP-21; assigned

To duty in the Bureau of Aeronautics as Project Officer for Pratt and Whitney jet engines; serving a tour on COMNAVAJRUNT's Staff as Power Plants Officer; and, in 1959, attending the Armed Forces Staff College.

In 1960, he was ordered to VS-39 and became the first Executive Officer of VS-34 when it _as formed from VS-39 on 2 May 1960. He assumed command of the Squadron on 18 May 1961. This, he states, has been his most challenging job thus far. He believes that progress in Anti-Submarine Warfare since the Second World War has been slow and inadequate. Much

More must be done, he feels, to meet the present submarine threat--not only in improved detection and weaponry, but also in alerting the nation to this danger.

Commander SAUNDERS I home town is Washington, D.C. He is married to the former Miss Elizabeth J. Rosasco of Pensacola, Florida, and they have three sons.