LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Received a message this morning that my friend of 50 years passed away last week, peacefully at home in bed.
David Ah Ming Kamahao Kuamoo was born in Hawaii, son of a native Hawaiian father and ethnic Chinese mother. "David" is easy enough for most of us, Ah Ming (Chinese) pronounced just as expected for an English speaker. Kamahao (Hawaiian) is pronounced Kah-mah-HA-Oh. Kuamoo (Hawaiian) is pronounced Koo-Ah-MOH-Oh. Dave was thoroughly accustomed to being addressed as Koo-Moo.
Medically retired on disability from the Colorado Springs Police Department about 1990 following an accident resulting in a fractured spine. Several years of surgeries, but struggled with walking and constant pain for the remainder of his life.
Dave served with me in Vietnam as an airborne infantryman (101st Airborne Division and 173rd Airborne Brigade), and remained on active duty after I left. His decorations included the Combat Infantryman Badge, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Republic of Vietnam Legion of Honor, and the usual "been there done that" stuff. Master parachutist. Pathfinder qualified. From my personal observations in combat action, Dave was a bad news dude, even though only about 5' 8" and maybe 140 lbs.
Discharged in about 1975, Dave joined the Colorado Springs PD where I also worked at the time. I left later on, moving on to a state agency as a criminal investigator, Dave stayed on as a patrol officer and part-time instructor in defensive tactics when academy classes were in session (specialties included arrest control tactics, aikido, and kendo as applied to baton training, also about a "umpteenth level" black belt in karate).
Dave remained in active Army reserve status with a reserve special forces unit, rising to the rank of captain, US Army Reserve. This, unfortunately, also came to an end with his disability retirement.
Dave's interests included gourmet cooking and he wrote poetry and short stories, although I am not aware of any publications. The varied infusions of his ethnic heritage, a strict Catholic upbringing, and life experiences produced some interesting products.
Survived by his wife of over 35 years and three grown children. I served as designated hand-holder one long night while his first daughter was delivered and did my best to help him through a contentious divorce that just about wrecked him.
David Ah Ming Kamahao Kuamoo was born in Hawaii, son of a native Hawaiian father and ethnic Chinese mother. "David" is easy enough for most of us, Ah Ming (Chinese) pronounced just as expected for an English speaker. Kamahao (Hawaiian) is pronounced Kah-mah-HA-Oh. Kuamoo (Hawaiian) is pronounced Koo-Ah-MOH-Oh. Dave was thoroughly accustomed to being addressed as Koo-Moo.
Medically retired on disability from the Colorado Springs Police Department about 1990 following an accident resulting in a fractured spine. Several years of surgeries, but struggled with walking and constant pain for the remainder of his life.
Dave served with me in Vietnam as an airborne infantryman (101st Airborne Division and 173rd Airborne Brigade), and remained on active duty after I left. His decorations included the Combat Infantryman Badge, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Republic of Vietnam Legion of Honor, and the usual "been there done that" stuff. Master parachutist. Pathfinder qualified. From my personal observations in combat action, Dave was a bad news dude, even though only about 5' 8" and maybe 140 lbs.
Discharged in about 1975, Dave joined the Colorado Springs PD where I also worked at the time. I left later on, moving on to a state agency as a criminal investigator, Dave stayed on as a patrol officer and part-time instructor in defensive tactics when academy classes were in session (specialties included arrest control tactics, aikido, and kendo as applied to baton training, also about a "umpteenth level" black belt in karate).
Dave remained in active Army reserve status with a reserve special forces unit, rising to the rank of captain, US Army Reserve. This, unfortunately, also came to an end with his disability retirement.
Dave's interests included gourmet cooking and he wrote poetry and short stories, although I am not aware of any publications. The varied infusions of his ethnic heritage, a strict Catholic upbringing, and life experiences produced some interesting products.
Survived by his wife of over 35 years and three grown children. I served as designated hand-holder one long night while his first daughter was delivered and did my best to help him through a contentious divorce that just about wrecked him.
