CTSN David W. Marlborough, USN
September 28, 1948 – June 8, 1967

The following tribute to CTSN David Marlborough is by Allan Marlborough, David’s younger brother.

IN MEMORY OF “CTSN DAVID W. MARLBOROUGH, U.S. NAVY”

Who is David Marlborough? He was the son of two proud parents. He was the middle of 3 male siblings. He was a friend of many, both male and female. He was loved by so many. Our family grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts, in an area of the city known as Hungry Hill, in which the majority of residents were of Irish Descent and of Catholic Faith. I am David’s youngest brother, Allan. I was 10 years when David was killed on the U.S.S. Liberty. David was 18. I remember David as a sincere and caring brother. We were close and played together a lot. He was always respectful to others and well respected by all. He believed in chivalry, duty, honor and patriotism.

His goal was to be a chemical engineer. I remember when David graduated from High School, President Kennedy activated the Draft for the Vietnam Dispute. Our Father was a Navy Veteran, so David decided to enlist in the Navy. My older brother, John, decided to enlist in Air Force. Long story short, John was medically discharged from the Air Force for pins in his ankle from a sporting injury. David completed boot camp and came home shortly before he went off to school in [Pensacola] Florida. There were Navy Investigators (I think) in our neighborhood who were going around interviewing neighbors and friends about David. I didn’t realize until I was older that David would be working with “Top Secret” information. If anyone could be trusted, David was the perfect choice. After completing school, David returned home before his next assignment. His next assignment was the U.S.S. Liberty. I remember when bringing David to the airport with my parents and saying bye to David, as David was walking to his boarding gate, my father had tears in his eyes. When my mother asked him what was wrong, my father replied “I don’t think we’ll see him (David) again”. That I have never forgotten.

High School Graduation picture

Most people know the U.S.S. Liberty was attacked purposely by Israel with then President Johnson condoning the attack. The cover up of the truth remains still today, both by the N.S.A. and the U.S. Navy. I remember the attack, as well as the loss of my brother, as if it happened yesterday.

My favorite place to visit is Arlington National Cemetery. It’s such a place of quiet and peace. It’s refreshing knowing my brother lays in peace with thousands of other American Heroes. It still brings tears to my eyes when I hear the echo of Taps being played and the 21 Gun Salute throughout the cemetery. In conclusion, I would like to add a quote by General Patton, 06-07-1945. “It is foolish and wrong to mourn men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”

God bless all of our Military Men and Women, who have given their lives, have served and are serving, our sometimes ungrateful, but most wonderful Nation, the United States of America.

Respectfully,
Allan Marlborough

Station HYPO Note: Featured image was taken at NCTC Corry Station where David received cryptologic training. The base is now called IWTC Corry Station.

Allan – thank you for sharing your family’s story with us.