Major David George Yarrington Sr. (USMC retired)'s Obituary
Major David George Yarrington Sr. (USMC retired), of Fredericksburg VA, passed away Saturday September 4, 2021. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family.
David was born 10, January 1948 in Waterbury, Connecticut. From February 1968 to February 1971 he served in the United States Marine Corps as an infantryman, scout sniper and reconnaissance scout dog handler seeing two tours of duty in the Republic of Vietnam and six months at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where he achieved the rank of Sergeant. Following his enlisted tour of duty he left the service and entered the University of Connecticut and graduated in 1973 with a B.S. Degree in Economics/History. After teaching secondary school in Waterbury, Connecticut for one academic year he reentered the U.S. Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant in 1974.
Upon completion of the Officer Basic School, Quantico, Virginia, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines where he served as Infantry Platoon Commander and 106mm Recoilless Rifle Platoon Commander. In April 1975 he participated in Operation Frequent Wind and Eagle Pull, assisting in the rescue of the U.S. merchant vessel SS Mayaguez and evacuation of U.S. citizens and Vietnamese refugees from the Republic of Vietnam and Cambodia.
In November of 1975, Major Yarrington reported to the 1st Marine Amphibious Brigade, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, where he served with 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines, as 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander, Battalion Adjutant, Executive Officer of Fox Company 2/3 and Company Commander of Golf Company 2/3, 3rd Marine Regiment. He twice deployed with the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit to the Western Pacific participating in Operation’s Kangaroo II (Australia), Fortress Lightning (Republic of the Philippines), Team Spirit (Korea), and Operation Jack Frost (Alaska). He next reported to the 1st Marine Corps District for Enlisted Recruiting and Office Selection duty where he served as Commanding Office, MCRS, Hartford, Connecticut, from May 1979 to August 1982.
Following Recruiting Duty, he was selected to attend the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course at Fort Benning, GA., where he also completed the Airborne School.
In May 1983, Major Yarrington was assigned to the 7th Marine Amphibious Brigade, Twenty-Nine Palms, California, (Mojave Desert). He served as Battalion Operations Officer (S-3) and Executive Officer for the re-deployed 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, the oldest regiment of the Corps. Also, while assigned to G-4, 7th MAB, he served as Project Officer-in-Charge of maintenance and embarkation operations (5th and 6th NTPF Cycles) being performed on equipment and supplies embarked aboard 7th MAB Prepositioned Ships in the Republic of the Philippines; Diego Garcia (Indian Ocean); Korea; Guam and Japan. This vital equipment was later utilized in Operation Desert Storm, 1991.
In June 1986, Major Yarrington reported to Marine Barracks, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire as Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps’ second oldest Barracks (1812-1987). While overseeing the disestablishment of Marine Barracks Portsmouth, scheduled for late 1987; Major Yarrington was assigned the additional command of Marine Corps Security Force Company, Naval Air Station, Brunswick, Maine, where he served until reassignment in May, 1989. During these two tours of command Major Yarrington was responsible for the security of nuclear refueling, modification and modernization operations of SSN and SSBN submarines at Portsmouth and the loading and security of nuclear weapons aboard P-3 Orion Submarine Hunter and Reconnaissance Aircraft at Brunswick.
In May 1989, Major Yarrington was assigned to the Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC) Quantico, Virginia. He served as Commanding Officer of Operations Company, HQ. & Svc. BN, and as S-3, Operations Officer for the battalion where he was instrumental and author of the operations order governing the Annual Marine Corps Marathon, Washington, D.C.
Major Yarrington retired in October 1991 to Fredericksburg, Virginia where he resided with his loving wife of 48 years, Theresa M. Yarrington (Albert) of East Hampton, Connecticut and their three children, David G. Yarrington Jr., Debra G. Balestreri, and Derek G. Yarrington. In November 1991, David completed his MBA degree in management from Averett College, Danville, Virginia. After his retirement from USMC, Major Yarrington became a Financial Adviser with MetLife Securities Inc. and MetLife Insurance Co.
Major Yarringtons’ personal awards include: Navy Commendation Medal with Combat-V, Purple Heart (2), Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (2), Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Oak Palm, Combat Action Ribbon (2).
David is survived by his wife, Theresa M. Yarrington; his 1st born, David G. Yarrington Jr., his spouse, Amy L. Yarrington, and their sons, David G. Yarrington, III and Carter M. Yarrington; his 2nd born, Debra G. Balestreri, and her spouse, Aaron M. Balestreri; and his 3rd born, Derek G. Yarrington, his spouse, Darlene Yarrington, and their sons, Gordon E. Yarrington and George R. Yarrington; his brother, Bruce Yarrington; and his sister, Dawn Yarrington Cammelletti.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 17, 2021 at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 10719 Courthouse Road, Fredericksburg. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 18, 2021 in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
May David rest in peace with his fellow fallen Marines in Heaven. God Bless his Soul.
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