Col. David A. Appling, USA, Ret., a former member of the Association of the United States Army’s Council of Trustees and a former AUSA Sixth Region president, died Dec.10.
Appling, who joined AUSA in 1957 after entering the Army as a second lieutenant of ordnance through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program, served the Association throughout his military and civilian careers.
In 1987, he was the prime mover in establishing the Silicon Valley Chapter as an important industry-focused organization in a defense-oriented environment.
He served as its president in 1997 and again in 2000.
From 1999 through 2004, he served on the Association’s National Advisory Board of Directors as a member of the Chapter Operations Committee.
He was elected president of AUSA’s Sixth Region in 2004.
In this position, he frequently visited the 12 chapters in his region to ensure the bonds among the active Army, Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve were strong, and all components were working together as a total force.
Appling also worked tirelessly with his chapter members to assist and support soldiers and their families who were assigned to recruiting and ROTC duties.
He then became the AUSA state president for Northern and Central California and was re-appointed to the Association’s Advisory Board of Directors.
At the time of his death, he was president of the Gen. Joseph Stillwell Chapter.
Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, USA, Ret., AUSA president, said, "Colonel Dave Appling was a great soldier, patriot, and leader who worked tirelessly for Association at every level of volunteer leadership."
He added, "He was a good man. He will be missed."
In 2009, Appling was awarded AUSA’s Maj. Gen. Anthony J. Drexel Biddle Medal for his "outstanding contributions to the Association of the United States Army."
The citation read, in part: "In recognition of his dedicated and dynamic support to AUSA and its overriding goal – Voice for the Army, Support for the Soldier – the Association of the United States Army proudly presents the Major General Anthony J. Drexel Biddle Medal to Colonel David A. Appling."
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