This year’s Veterans Day was a bit more momentous than those of previous years.
This November 11 marked the 107th anniversary of Armistice Day, the end of World War I, while this September marked the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. Additionally, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, and U.S. Marine Corps are all 250 years old, a milestone the United States will reach in the summer of 2026.
But for one Suffolk County Veteran, particularly in Bay Shore, one Veteran who served in World War II will soon hit the milestone birthday of 100 years old.
David Clarence Palmer, born November 27, 1925, in Norwalk, Connecticut, received the “welcome letter” from Uncle Sam in 1943. Palmer went to active-duty in January 1944.
After reporting to Fort Devens, Massachusetts, and completing his basic training at Camp Landing, Florida, Palmer attended signal school in Fort Benning, Georgia. He was then assigned to the 71st Cavalry Mechanized Reconnaissance Troop of the U.S. Third Army under the command of the legendary General George Patton.
Palmer arrived in Le Havre, France, on February 6, 1945. He served as a reconnaissance car crew member who was not only a driver but also a radio operator. He would later serve in an M8 Greyhound, a small armored tank. Palmer named his assigned M8 “Reenie”, after a long-secret high school sophomore crush.
Palmer would then serve in ousting the German forces from the French lines, seeing his first combat on March 11, 1945. Later that month, he and his fellow servicemembers would storm through the outer bounds of the Siegfried Line, capturing the French town of Pirmasens, and crossing the Rhine River into Germany.
Palmer and the 71st took Coburg without resistance, cutting the Munich-Berlin Autobahn and capturing Bayreuth on April 16 – after fierce pushback from the Germans. By the end of that April, they would cross the Naab and Danube rivers into Regensburg and Straubing. They would enter Austria on May 2, 1945, occupying defensive positions along the Enns River on May 8, just one day before the war ceased.
Palmer and the 71st would earn distinction for having driven further east than any other U.S. Army unit deployed to the European Theatre of Operations.
Palmer and the 71st would then liberate several Nazi concentration camps.
Throughout his service, Palmer would sustain two minor wounds, qualifying him for Purple Hearts. However, he refused the prestigious medals so as to not worry his mother, who would have been notified that he’d been injured.
Palmer left the service on November 27, 1946, but not before earning the promotion of Private to Technician, Fifth Grade, as well as the title of Expert Rifle and Carbine Gunner.
Palmer received the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon, the Army Occupation Medal, the Germany Victory Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Palmer returned to civilian life to become a carpenter. He currently lives in Bay Shore with his extended family and will celebrate his 100th birthday on Thanksgiving.
In addition to the Town of Islip’s customary Veterans Day ceremony, Palmer was of unique recognition.
“We say ‘thank you’ not just on Veterans Day, but every day,” said Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip).
Carpenter was joined by Islip Town Clerk Linda Vavricka (R-West Islip), Islip Receiver of Taxes Andy Wittman (R-Sayville), and a representative for Councilman John Lorenzo (C-West Sayville). A representative for Suffolk County Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) was also present.
“I didn’t bring you a tax bill today, Mr. Palmer,” quipped Wittman, instead attending as a joint signer of the Town’s Citation in recognition of his service and rank of centenarian.
“It is an honor for me to recognize Mr. Palmer for his services to our country,” said Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), joined by Legislator Steve Flotteron (R-Brightwaters). Caracappa’s role as Chair of Veterans Committee takes him across the county to work with Veterans groups and organizations, but this occasion certainly stuck out.
Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) delivered his sentiments through a statement, saying, “your dedication represents the very best of Long Island and of our country. Our community and our nation are stronger because of your example.”
Garbarino also enclosed an American flag that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol, a rare memento reserved for those of distinct or high honor.
The Department of Veterans Affairs projects that the number of living WWII Veterans has fallen below 0.5% of the total number of Americans who served in the war. The Census Bureau estimates that there are approximately 66,000 WWII Veterans still alive – a decline of 119,000 Veterans estimated in 2023.
A banner in honor of Palmer was unfurled at the Islip Veterans Memorial Park. The banner will join countless others that pay tribute to Islip’s Veterans and ensure the Town’s local history remains at the forefront of public attention.
