David B. Fowler

Connecticut. He was surrounded by his son and family. David was born on November 1, 1922

in Norwood, Massachusetts and was a resident of Clinton since 1963, having lived in the same

house for 58 years.

He is survived by two sons: John Fowler, of Dallas, Texas, and Steven Fowler of South

Windsor, Connecticut. He is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Hong D. Fowler and a

granddaughter, Rebecca Fowler, both of South Windsor.

He was predeceased by a brother, Theodore Fowler, of Washington Depot, Connecticut and a

sister Elizabeth Warrick of Berkeley, California. He was also predeceased by his first wife,

Cynthia E. Fowler, and his second wife Deborah D. Fowler.

He grew up in Norwood, Massachusetts where his hobby was building model airplanes. He

spent many summers on Cape Cod with his family where he developed a life-long love of

boating and especially sailing.

He graduated from the Loomis School, Windsor, Connecticut and attended Brown University,

Providence, Rhode Island. At the start of World War II, he left Brown to enlist in the Army Air

Corps. After returning from World War II he completed a Bachelor’s degree at Boston University

School of Management.

During World War II, he served as a P-51 Mustang pilot with the Eighth Air Force, Fourth

Fighter Group and was stationed in Debden, England between May 2, 1944 and December 1,

1944. His group was responsible for escort duties of heavy bombers over Europe and did

much close ground support work before and after the D-Day invasion of June 6, 1944. During

his service he flew 64 combat missions and was promoted from First Lieutenant to Flight

Commander.

For bravery in aerial combat, he was awarded the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the

Distinguished Flying Cross. These medals recognized his “extraordinary achievement in aerial

flight over enemy occupied Continental Europe”, his “skillful and zealous manner” in which he

piloted his “kite”, and “serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers”. Furthermore, his citation

recognized that his “actions on all occasions reflect the highest credit upon themselves and the

Armed Forces of the United States”.

He spent most of his working life in the insurance business, primarily with the Commercial

Union Insurance Company, of Boston, Massachusetts. From 1963 until his retirement in 1985

he was a marketing representative responsible for the state of Connecticut.

During retirement he supported the Connecticut Aeronautical Society doing volunteer work at

the New England Air Museum at Bradley Field, Connecticut. He was also an instructor with the

Saybrook Power Squadron, an organization devoted to boating safety. In his later years he was

an instructor with Literacy Volunteers of Westbrook, Connecticut. In addition, for twelve years

he was a volunteer driver for the Estuary Council’s Meals on Wheels program in the shoreline

area.

He had many fond memories of meeting his aviation buddies for breakfast in local restaurants.

He is deeply missed by all who knew him.