HMCM (SS) David Lee Bass, USN (Ret.)
Centralia, WA
David Lee Bass, 77, a Centralia resident for 11 years coming from Curtis and Boistfort Valley, died Wednesday, August 20, 2003 at his home in Centralia.
Born January 5, 1926 in Detroit, MI to Lee and Eva (Lanfear) Bass, David was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in World War II, the Korean Conflict and Vietnam.
David Bass enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943 and served with the United States Marine Corps as a Hospital Corpsman. He served in the invasion of Okinawa where he earned the first of six Purple Hearts that would be awarded him over his impressive Navy career. After World War II, he joined the Naval Reserve and was recalled to active duty during the Korean Conflict, where he was wounded three times. After Korea David decided to remain in the Navy and found himself as part of the new Navy unit, the Navy Seals. His new assignment placed him again in harm's way, in another little corner of the world called Vietnam. Once again thrown into battle he received a fifth and a sixth Purple Heart Award. He followed this duty with assignments in the Navy's submarine force where he served as an independent duty Hospital Corpsman aboard the USS Perch APSS 313 and USS Tunny APSS 282.
His military decorations included: Silver Star; Bronze Star, with Combat "V" (multiple awards); Purple Heart (multiple awards); Presidential Unit Citation (multiple awards); Combat Action Ribbon.
After military retirement, David was employed with the United States Department of Agriculture as a food safety officer.
David is survived by his seven children: Jesse Bass living in Massachusetts; Rick Bass of St. Charles, MO; Charlie Bass of Chehalis, WA; Florence Bass and Rachel LeMay of Bellevue, WA; Rebecca Bass of Kent, WA, and Kathleen Schuerch of Hilo, HI; two step-daughters, Stefania K. Garofoli of Port Charlotte, FL, and Jacqueline Wagner of Tumwater, WA He is survived by 12 grand-children and one great grandchild. Also surviving are an aunt, Margaret Lanfear of Millington, MI, one nephew, Ronald David Lanfear living in Tennessee and a cousin, Robert Lanfear of Punta Gorda, FL. On November 21, 1990 David Bass married Heide-linde Wagner in Shelton, WA.
A Celebration of Life service was held on August 25, 2003 at Newell-Hoerling's Chapel in Centralia with American Legion and VFW representatives officiating. Internment with Military Honors will be held at a later date at Olympic Memorial Gardens in Tumwater, WA. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Newell-Hoerling's Chapel, Centralia. Donations may be made to the Veterans Museum 712 W. Main St., Centralia, WA.