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<em>DAVID FRANK NIDEVER</em> was born on 25 April 1935 in Fresno, California, the son of Lottie Josephine and Elza Edward Nidever. He progressed through the Fresno public school system, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1953. Enlisting in the Air Force upon graduation, Dave subsuquently gained a congressional appointment to West Point and attendence at the USMA Preparatory School at Stewart Air Force Base, New York en route to admission as a member of the Class of 1958 on 6 July 1954. He was no stranger to West Point-his brother Ed was starting his First Class Year as Dave endured the rigors of Plebe Year.</p>
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The personal attributes which served Dave so well in his Army career were well developed in Cadet Nidever from the beginning of our matriculation through West Point. He was highly focused and intense yet always friendly and sincere. Dave was a natural athlete and maintained a level of physical fitness well above the required standards. He was on the Corps Squad track team during his yearling year but gave it up when he recognized that he couldn’t meet his personal academic goals while participating in Corps Squad activities. The wisdom of his choice was self evident in that he graduated in the top fourth of the class.</p>
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Dave was modest to a fault. While on summer leave he saved the life of a person in an automobile accident and did not mention the event upon his return to West Point. His heroism later was recognized in front of the Corps of Cadets. When confronted by his roommates and friends concerning his silence, he said he thought it to be a private matter and did not want to seem to be bragging.</p>
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Dave was commissioned a second lieutenant of Artillery upon our graduation. Following the Artillery Basic Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he went to Fort Benning, Georgia, where he easily overcame the physical rigors and challenges of training to gain his Airborne wings and Ranger tab. He subsequently was assigned to the Seventh U. S. Army in Germany, serving with Headquarters, V Corps Artillery from 1960-1961 and the 28th Artillery until his return to the states in 1962. Selected to teach in the Department of Mathematics at West Point, Dave attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, in preparation for the assignment. Captain Dave Nidever returned to his Alma Mater five years and two days after his graduation. In his three years as an instructor, he taught the cadets much more than the required math curriculum. By his personal example, he instilled the concepts of Duty, Honor, Country; of a clean mind and sound body; and a commitment to the task at hand.</p>
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While at West Point, Dave added a new dimension to his life when he married Diana Ruth Holden on 15 May 1966. Sherilynn was born in 1967, Timothy David in 1969.</p>
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The Nidevers left West Point in June 1966 bound for Fort Sill, Oklahoma and the Artillery Advanced Course. Graduation found Major Dave Nidever off to his first tour in Vietnam. He served with the 8th and 34th Artillery and at Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division. His valor, his love of Country and sense of Duty were recognized during this tour by his award of the Silver Star, The Bronze Star Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal for Valor.</p>
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After an all too brief tour as a family with Headquarters, Sixth Army at The Presidio, San Francisco, Dave returned to Vietnam, serving in the G-3 Plans Office, US Army Vietnam. There was no return to Diana and family this time, as Dave’s life tragically ended on a hillside in Vietnam when the helicopter in which he was riding crashed. Dave was trying to rescue the pilot when the helicopter rolled and the still spinning rotor blade struck him.</p>
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This account of Dave’s life as a cadet and soldier fails to capture and convey the inner strengths and values Dave possessed and lived by. It was surely this great inner strength that drove him to the act of heroism that cost him his life while attempting to save another.</p>
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We are all the better for knowing Dave and remember him in different ways. We remember him as a brother, a husband, a father, a classmate, a comrade in arms, and a true friend. We remember him talking about his love for Diana and his deep religious faith. Because of Diana and his faith he projected a composure, confidence, and serenity that was an inspiration to those around him and left no doubt that he was a more fulfilled person at that point in his young life than many of us ever will be.</p>
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At Dave’s memorial service the eulogy noted that he had two consuming loves—his country and his God. The love for his Country was only exceeded by his love for his God.</p>
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Well done Dave—We know you are at peace...enjoy your reward!</p>
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<em>A Classmate</em></p>