David B. Atkins was born on December 21, 1948 to Alphonse and Betty Atkins. His home of record is Newark, NJ and he grew up in Kearny. Atkins attended Washington Grammar School and Kearny High School. He was interested in auto mechanics and a proud owner of a 1962 Thunderbird.
He was a mild-tempered lad, and he never got into any trouble. He had a lot of friends and he was always out with them, but he was a good boy. He loved the Marines”
-Father, Alphonse Atkins (Jersey Journal 1969)
David joined the United State Marine Corps in September 1968. He successfully completed basic training with Platoon 2030 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC on December 3, 1968. Private Atkins was then assigned to Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, NC where he completed weapons training. He followed this with an assignment to Camp Pendleton, CA. Private Atkins deployed to Vietnam in July 1969 as a rifleman in Company M, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division (Reinforced) Fleet Marine Force. He was stationed at Hong Hoi Combat Base, Quang Tri Province. Private Atkins collapsed and died from asphyxiation under non–combat circumstances on September 2, 1969. He had not yet completed his first year of service in the Marine Corps and had been in Vietnam for less than two months at the time of his death.
Private Atkins was only 20 years old at the time of his death and was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, New Jersey (Section 2/ Section B /Grave 46).
Private Atkins’ decorations and awards include the following: National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device.
In addition to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Private Atkins is also honored at the Kearny Vietnam Memorial in Kearny’s Memorial Park.
He was survived by his father and mother, two brothers, James and Alan and sister Bonnie.
Source: NJVVMF, Jim McIlhenney, and Ron Woods.
12/17/2024 (Updated 3/31/2025)
