Corporal David Phillip McCormick

April 10, 1982 - April 28, 2008

Roselawn Memorial Park
Van Vleck, Texas

Gold Star Mother
Anna June Staten McCormick

Memorial Tree Planting

Find A Grave Memorial







Final Roll Call

Did you hear the sad news today?
A brave American Soldier, CPL. David McCormick, has passed away.
Called by the Supreme Commander over all.
Today he has made his final roll call.

Come fellow Warriors; let us reverently bow and pray
For our valiant comrade, who has fallen this day.
We’ll drape his casket with a banner of beautiful hues,
Those glorious American colors: red, white and blue.

That star spangled banner he gallantly fought to defend,
Unyielding and undaunted, he fought to win.
He fought bravely and he passed the battle test.
Now the Supreme Commander grants him, “eternal rest”.

With dignity and honor, we’ll commit his body to the ground,
The bugler will sound “Taps” and we’ll fire the volley rounds.
The final military honors we’ll render somberly and ever so sadly;
“Old Glory” we’ll solemnly precisely fold and reverently give to his family.

Each Memorial Day we will recall David McCormick's name,
And attest that his supreme sacrifice was not in vain;
For this lasting legacy he gave to all generations;
“It’s honorable to respect our flag and to defend our great nation.”

So close ranks fellow warriors, for our ranks are thinning.
We must keep on fighting and keep on winning.
With pride and honor we’ll march and stand tall,
And we’ll proudly - proudly - salute “Old Glory”
‘til we too make our final roll call.

Farewell CPL. David McCormick  - Be At Ease; Rest In Peace

By Carroll R. Michaud, Retired USAF Fighter Pilot
Used With Permission
 


CPL. DAVID P. MCCORMICK
 

BAY CITY - Cpl. David Phillip McCormick, 26, of Bay City, passed away Monday, April 28, 2008, in Baghdad, Iraq while proudly serving his country in the United States Army. David was born in Bay City on April 10, 1982 to parents, Leo William McCormick Jr. and Anna June Staten McCormick. David grew up in Bay City and was a graduate of Bay City High School's Class of 2000.

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, America was attacked by enemies of freedom. David put aside his studies to answer the call of his country to fight a war against terror and hatred. He joined the Army because he was firmly committed to the service of our nation and he wanted to safeguard our liberties. He was serving in his second tour of duty and had just returned to Iraq after spending time at home with his family in early April.

While he was home he had applied and was accepted into the business school at Texas State University where he had hoped to attend next fall to study for a bachelor's degree in business and eventually obtain a masters degree in business administration. He also had dreams of continuing his service to his country by becoming a commissioned officer in the United States Coast Guard Reserve.

David was a hero, and like so many others, his life was cut tragically short by forces of oppression, racism and hatred.

He was preceded in death by his father and is survived by his loving mother, Anna June McCormick of Bay City.

He is also survived by a brother, Leo William McCormick III of San Diego; a sister and her husband, Kristy and Kelly Davis and nephew, Adam of Houston; another sister and her husband, Mary Ann and Danny Davis of Stafford; and an uncle and aunt, Robert and Carol Staten of Angleton.

A public visitation will be held on Thursday, May 8th from 6-8 p.m. at the Christian Ministry Center of the First Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 9, at 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Bay City with Dr. Michael Zimmerman officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at Rose Lawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorial donations be made in David's memory to The Youth ministry or The Scholarship Fund of First Baptist Church-Bay City or to the Military Pocket Testament Program of the Gideons International.

Services are under the direction of Bay City Funeral Home, 979-245-4893.

Published in the Victoria Advocate on 5/3/2008.
 


Iraq war casualty hits home

A soldier from Bay City was killed near Baghdad, Iraq Monday, making him the first person from Matagorda County to be killed in the war.

Family and friends gathered at his mother’s home to remember David McCormick, 26, and had nothing but great things to say about the Bay City High School graduate of 2000.

Mayor Richard Knapik, Judge Nate McDonald, Sheriff James Mitchell, Sheriff-elect Gary Mathis as well as several teachers from the Bay City School district also went to the McCormick residence to show their support for the family.

McCormick always had a strong interest in history and his country, his family noted.

“He always had an overwhelming sense of integrity and honor,” said his older sister Kristy Davis. McCormick was the youngest of four children and had a very strong relationship with each of his siblings.

Family and church were also very important to McCormick, said his mother June McCormick. “He was always very patriotic, loyal and Texas proud,” she said. “He really loved his family and religion was a huge part of his life.”

David took pride in his heritage and even took it upon himself to introduce beef jerky to all of his friends overseas, his mother said.

David and his brother, Will McCormick, both initially signed up for the military together in July of 2004 after seeing the country’s need for loyal soldiers after the attacks of 9/11.

David served in Iraq for a year, before coming home for a year getting redeployed in October of 2007, his mother said.

McCormick’s second tour deployed him from Fort Campbell, Ky., to Forward Operating Base Justice near Baghdad, where he served as an army specialist and worked as a cavalry scout. It was here that he trained Iraqi soldiers as peacemakers.

McCormick had plans to attend Texas State University when he returned home and wanted to pursue a master’s degree in business administration. He also planned on becoming a member of the United States Coast Guard, said his brother.

Will, who is a cadet with the ROTC in San Diego, served for two and a half years as a special agent with U.S. Army counter-terrorism.

“David loved his country and loved learning,” June McCormick said. “He always kept himself around people with big minds and big ideas.”

The McCormick family also said that David was always a loyal friend.

“The thing that I remember most about David was that he took the time to be helpful to a freshman,” said Bryan Hairell, a freshman at Bay City High School when McCormick was a senior. “He was a good friend and a good person and I will miss him dearly.”

Hairell is presently in the U.S Air Force and said that what happened to his friend is painful, and he plans to attend the funeral.

The funeral services for David McCormick are pending.

• John Braden is a reporter/photographer for the Matagorda Advocate. Contact him at 979-244-1330 or jbraden@vicad.com.

 


Community honors Bay City hero

From staff reports Bay City Tribune

Published May 3, 2008

Flags are flying at half-mast all around Bay City in honor of hero Cpl. David Phillip McCormick, 26.

David died in an apparent mortar attack on Monday, April 28, in Baghdad, Iraq.

He was the first Iraq casualty from Matagorda County.

David was a class of 2000 Bay City High School graduate.

He joined the Army in July of 2004 and was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (air assault) based in Fort Campbell.

According to David’s mother, Anna June McCormick, it has been mistakenly understood that the military called on the phone to inform her that her son had been killed in Iraq.

“There were two army representatives who came and knocked on the door to inform me of our loss,” said June.

“The two women who came were so kind and warm-hearted.”

“They couldn’t have been more compassionate. They were here for hours because they wouldn’t leave me alone. I told them that I would be fine and my family would be here soon but they were not going to leave until loved ones had arrived,” June said.

“We certainly don’t want anyone to think that if something like this happened to their family member that all they would get is a phone call,” Will McCormick, David’s brother, added.

David’s family was informed on Friday afternoon that the Army promoted him from specialist to corporal and would be awarding David with a whole list of awards and honors for his service and ultimate sacrifice.

“We found out this morning that David received a promotion and that the military wanted to give my brother a series of awards,” said Will.

David was awarded the bronze star and the purple heart along with the promotion on Friday.

Other awards he has received during his military career include: good conduct medal, national defense medal, Iraqi Campaign medal with a Bronze Star, Global War on Terror service medal, army service ribbon, combat action badge, driver’s badge with a “W” bar and an expert rifle badge.

“David joined the U.S. Army for such a time as this to be counted among those who stand in defense of freedom loving people the world over. He was firmly committed to the service of our nation and the safeguard of our freedom,” said Will.

“David greatly admired his fellow soldiers and all those with whom he served. David loved his country and loved his people so much he tried to help in any way he could,” Will said.

As a lifetime member of First Baptist Church of Bay City, David was involved in the youth choir and youth group at the church.

“David’s faith was very important to him,” said Will.

“When people started asking if they could make any sort of donations in his memory, we decided to establish a scholarship fund in David’s honor — the First Baptist Church Scholarship Fund in Memory of David P. McCormick.”

David was looking forward to attending Texas State University at San Marcos as soon as he finished his tour of duty, said Will.

When Will thinks of his brother, he remembers the time when they went on a road trip to the Hill Country, tubing down the Guadalupe River, and attending a San Marcos football game, it was there David’s dream began.

“He wanted to be a successful business man,” said Will.

“His absolute goal was to have his own business. He didn’t know exactly what path he was going to take in business but he would have figured it out by the time he finished college.”

David was planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business management and return for his MBA.

David also dreamt of becoming a commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves and skippering his own Coast Guard Cutter securing the nation.

“That’s really where the sadness comes in,” Will said.

“He had so many remarkable dreams and to see him realize those dreams was part of my dreams.”

David’s older sister, Kristy Davis, said that her brother always had a very strong sense of integrity and a personal code of honor.

It was obvious to his loved ones that serving in Iraq was a purpose that he felt sure of and took very seriously.

“David told me one time that (what they were doing in Iraq) makes a difference,” said Will.

“He said there are a lot of good people there getting hurt and it really makes a difference.”

His brother-in-law, Kelley Davis, remembers spending time with David while he was on a two-week leave about a month ago.

“He had just bought a little red Spitfire and he was really looking forward to fixing up that car,” Davis said.

“He had it all planned out right down to the specific types of bolts he was going to use — he even had the parts he wanted for the car fixed up on a PowerPoint presentation.”

Davids’s body will arrive by military escort at 9:30 a.m. to the Bay City Municipal Airport on Sunday, May 4.

According to Will McCormick, anyone who wishes to make a show of sympathy and support is welcome at the airport.

The processional will exit the airport heading north on FM 2540 and turn going east on Texas 35 towards Bay City. The processional will end at the Bay City Funeral Home, 2205 Avenue K.

“I think it’s great that the whole community wants to come and show their support and love for David,” said Will.

Businesses and residents around the county are showing their support for David’s family by flying flags half mast and displaying memorials, Bay City Middle School lined the campus with flags in David’s honor and the VFW Post 2438 is dedicating Saturday’s flag retirement ceremony to him.

“The whole community including the city and county leaders and everyone have been so attentive and caring and we can’t express how much we appreciate that,” said Will.

“Bay City and Matagorda County, have lost their first hero in the Iraq Conflict, Cpl. David McCormick lost his life and will forevermore be held in high regard to his sacrifice for us all,” said Matagorda County Judge Nate McDonald.

A public visitation is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at the Christian Ministry Center of the First Baptist Church.

Funeral Services will be at 4 p.m. Friday, May 9, at First Baptist Church in Bay City with Dr. Michael Zimmerman officiating.

Interment with full Military Honors will follow at Rose Lawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck.

“David was a hero, and like so many others, his life has been cut tragically short by forces of oppression, racism, and hatred. God Bless his memory. God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America,” said Will. 
 


Leo William McCormick

 

Leo William "Bill" McCormick, 52, of Bay City died Friday, Sept. 27, 1996 at Matagorda General Hospital.

 

He was born in San Marcos, Texas July 15, 1944 to parents Leo William, Sr. and Helen Christine Bennett McCormick. He taught school at McAllister Jr. High School for twenty years. He was a man who loved God and liked to share his love with others.

 

Survivors are his wife, Anna June Staten McCormick of Bay City; mother, Helen McCormick, Bay City; Sons: Leo William "Will" McCormick III, Bay City and David Phillip McCormick, Bay City; daughters, Kristy Kay and Mary Ann McCormick of Bay City; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Carol Staten of Angleton.

 

Services will be Sunday, Sept. 29, 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Michael Zimmerman, officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck.

 

Pallbearers are Gary Steele, Howard Harper, Floyd Oliver, Bill Bullard, Woody Riedel, and John Keyes. Honorary Pallbearers are Frank Farmer, John Olsen, Van Moad, Bill Lowery, Buzzy Riis-due, Robert Staten, Nouhad Mamoun, Albert Munn, and E. J. Thormaehlen.

 

Service under the direction of Dick R. Elkins Bay City Funeral Home.

 

The Daily Tribune, September 29, 1996

 


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Created
May 3, 2008
Updated
Jul. 29, 2012
   

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