David Michael Kass

David Michael Kass, age 74, of Fairfield, Ohio passed away on Friday, September 30, 2022, at Ft. Hamilton Hospital. Dave was born September 28, 1948, in Cincinnati, Ohio to Jerome and June Kass. Dave was raised in West Chester, Ohio along with older sister, Sandra, and two younger brothers, Tim and Scott. He graduated from Lakota High School in 1966. Dave was a proud member of the United States Marine Corps from May of 1968 – July of 1970. While seeing action in Vietnam, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroism and a Purple Heart, along with numerous other medals and decorations. The Bronze Star Medal was awarded by the President of the United States “For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as a Squad Leader with Company G, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division. On August 12, 1969, Lance Corporal Kass’s squad deployed with the First Platoon as a reaction force to assist the Second Platoon which was heavily engaged in combat with a numerically superior hostile force utilizing antitank rockets and small arms fire. Upon reaching the beleaguered unit, Lance Corporal Kass boldly led his men through the friendly lines to the points of heaviest contact and, deploying his men into effective fighting positions on high ground, directed their fire on suspected enemy emplacements, allowing the Second Platoon to move to covered locations. After sighting enemy targets and assessing the situation, he initiated an aggressive assault against the hostile soldiers but immediately came under intense enemy fire and sustained casualties. With complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Kass, identifying a well-concealed sniper emplacement as a principle source enemy fire, boldly charged across the fire-swept terrain and, hurling hand grenades, killed two enemy soldiers, silencing the fire from that point. Ignoring the hostile rounds impacting around him, he then fearlessly maneuvered among the casualties to encourage them and render first aid. Having breached the enemy line by his lone assault, he thus enabled the remainder of the platoon to overrun the position and destroy the enemy. Lance Corporal Kass’s courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk inspired all who observed him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.” Dave was a hard-working, reliable employee of the USPS at their Bulk Mail Center in Sharonville for close to 30 years. Dave enjoyed going to car shows, scuba diving, painting, playing drums, listening to music, reading, and all things nature and animal-related.

Dave is survived by his wife and caregiver, Wilma Kass, as well as his brothers, Tim (Mari) Kass and Scott (Jane) Kass, and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Karen and Jeff Burrell. Dave also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends who will miss him with his great wit and kind personality. He will especially be missed by his dog Gracie, his little squirt. Dave was preceded in death by his parents June and Jerome Kass, his sister Sandra Moore and her husband Sonny, and his niece Lisa (Dave) Romie. Private services will be held at Avance Funeral Home with Rev. Marshall Duke officiating. Dave loved helping others, both humans and animals. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be sent to Offering for Others at Springdale Nazarene Church, 11177 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45246 or Crazy Cats Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 8845, Cincinnati, OH 45208.