Project 888
Name: David Lowell DRISCOLL
Rank / Rating: LT. (jg)-Lieutenant (junior grade)Service #: 188764 DOB: Mar 03, 1918 From: Rapid City, SD Parents: Robert Edward and Mary Louise Driscoll Went Aboard: Oct 20, 1944 Age When Ship Went Down: 27 years, 4 months, 27 days Spouse: Children: Grandchildren: Bio Submitted By: David Doherty (Nephew) |
 DRISCOLL, David L |
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David Doherty (Nephew and namesake of David Lowell Driscoll) submitted the following bio information on behalf of his late uncle:
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 Lieutenant (jg) David Lowell Driscoll was born on March 3, 1918 in Lead, South Dakota (prounounced as “Leed”, SD). David was the second son of Robert E and Mary Louise Driscoll.
David’s father was the president and owner of the First National Bank of the Black Hills in Lead and also owned banks in 10 surrounding communities. His father loved the Black Hills and was a prominent business leader known to many as Mr. Black Hills.
David was one of five children. He had an older brother, Robert E Driscoll, Junior, who was known as Bobby. He had three sisters, Kathleen Evans, Mary Haig and Josephine Doherty. Josephine was the last living sibling and she resided in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
David graduated from Lead High School and later attended Harvard and UCLA universities. He was known to his friends and family as someone who was semi shy, articulate, humorous, intelligent and humble. One of his talents was playing the piano. He was a concert pianist, but also loved to play and entertain for his friends and family. He once was offered $300 a week in Hollywood to play background music for movies, but declined as he was attending Harvard at the time. His sister, Josephine, had his grand piano in her living room in Sioux Falls, SD.
In 1942, David graduated from the US Navy Officer School and was assigned to the destroyer, USS Phelps. He saw action in the Louisiana Campaign, the attack on Guam, Midway, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was wounded in action and voluntarily returned to duty in 1944.
David’s brother, Bobby, also served in the United States Armed Forces in the 5th Air Force in the Philippines area. Bobby was shot down in September of 1944 in the New Guinea area.
In 1945*, David was deployed as the Communications Officer on USS Indianapolis. After leaving Guam, he was reported missing in action in the Pacific on July 30th according to a telegram received by his parents from the Navy in August of 1945.
It has been stated that the last words from the Communications Office was: “My God, let's get out of here”. David’s family likes to believe that could have been stated by David.
The Driscoll family was devastated at the loss of David’s life but also the loss of so many brave men in July of 1945.
God bless all who lost their lives on USS Indianapolis and to those who survived and were reminders of our brave military that fought for our freedom in World War 2.
Nephew David participated in VOICES OF THE LOST AT SEA program in 2018 honoring his uncle.
Click on VOICES OF THE LOST AT SEA to view from Time Stamp 1:30 - 4:25.
*Addition by Patricia Stephens (Admin) - The official List of Officers of Indianapolis, for the month of Feb 1945, shows Lt.(jg) Driscoll reported aboard ship on Oct. 20, 1944.
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