December 27, 1939 - November 13, 1959
This is not an obituary but rather an account of the accident from which David ultimately expired.
Young Springfield Airman Shot in Minnesota
Airman third class David C Stafford, 19, son of Mr and Mrs Victor Stafford of the Connecticut River Road, Springfield, is in critical condition at the University hospital in Minneapolis, Minn., suffering from wounds sustained in a hunting accident on Sunday.
According to the young service man's father, David was hunting with a companion, while on week-end pass from the Wadena Minn., Air Force base, when the accident occurred.
Mr. and Mrs. Stafford learned early Sunday through messages from the Air Force delivered by Springfield police, and through information obtained by Mrs. Louise Curzyie of Springfield chapter, American Red Cross, that David was shot on the left side of the face with a bullet accidentally discharged from the gun of his companion.
The Air Force telegram said that it was imperative that David's relatives be with him at the hospital as soon as possible.
Through arrangements made by the Red Cross, Mrs. Stafford left Springfield airport by light plane Sunday, flying to New York where she boarded a large passenger plane for Minneapolis. The Red Cross had also arranged for an emergency leave far David's brother, Wayne, stationed at a Duluth, Minn. , air base, to join his mother on her arrival at Minneapolis.
On Monday night, Mrs. Stafford telephoned her husband, a retired Fellows Gear Shaper company employee, at their Connecticut River home, informing him that David was still unconscious, and that doctors had informed her that "there isn't too much to do but wait", Mr. Stafford said.
At noon yesterday (Tuesday), Mr Stafford received another call from his wife. She said that David was still unconscious, and that as soon as his condition would permit he would be transferred to Walter Reed hospital near Washington for special treatment. Mr. Stafford learned that the bullet had shattered the left side of the young airman's face, damaging the chin bone, the bone under the eye and the ear. He said that the family and doctors are hopeful that there is no brain damage.
David graduated from Springfield High school in June of 1958 in the commercial course. He did farm work before enlisting in the air corps last December 3. He has three brothers, Wayne, Gilbert, who lives in Detroit and Kenneth of Tulsa, Okla.
David at the 1959 Prom
Another picture from the Prom. Howard Whitney, Class of 1959, identified the girl on the left as Marlene Childs and the girl on the right as Judy Abbott.
The information above was scanned from the newspaper article received from Jim Childs, SHS Class of 1960. Jim also supplied the photos of David at the 1959 Prom.