David Francis is from Buffalo, N.Y., where he was graduated from South Park High School in 1945. He was graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn., with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Engineering and with a comission of Ensign on June, 1949.
His earliest assignments included duties as Watch Officer onboard cutters USCGC Homboldt and USCGC Dexter out of Boston Mass., from 1949 to 1951, and then as Explosive Loading Officer under the Captain of the Port of San Francisco. From 1953 to 1954 he commanded the Coast Guard Loran Transmitting Station at Talampulan, R.P., after which he returned to the Captain of the Port Office at San Francisco as Executive Officer. He next served as Executive Officer in the buoy tender USCGC Magnola out of the Golden Gate area from 1957 to Sept. 1959, following which he became Reserve Administrator for the 9th Coast Guard District, Cleveland, Ohio.
Transferred in May 1961 to Galveston, Texas, he first served as Executive Officer of the Coast Guard located there, and then commanded he tender USCGC Iris of that port from 1962 to 1963. Before leaving Galveston he was awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal for serving as Officer in charge of a fire fighting crew from the Coast Guard 82-foot patrol boat WPB-82301 in November 1961, to combat the fire raging out of control following the collision of the M/V Union Reliance and the tanker Berean in the Houston Ship Channel. His action prevented the loss of the tanker.
After a year of student work at the University of Pittsburgh, PA., he was awarded a Master Degree of Public Administration in August 1964. From there he reported at Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C., where he was assigned as Chief, Officer Assignment Branch until April 1, 1967, when he was named Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs at the outset of the newly created Department of Transportation. For meritorious performance of duty in that post, he was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Coast Guard Commendation Medal.
In June 1969, he assumed command of the USCGC Minnetonka, based at Long Beach, Calif. In 1971, he returned to Headquarters to serve in the Office of Boating Safety first as Chief, Planning and Evaluation Staff until June 1973, and then as Executive Director, Boating Safety Advisory Council. For those services he was awarded the Coast Guard Achievement Medal (1973).
In June 1974, he beame Deputy Chief, Office of Personnel.
On January 17, 1975, Lauth was among five captains nominated by President Ford for the rank of Rear Admiral, with his rand approved by the Senate effetive as a July 1, 1975.
With this promotion to flag office RADM Lauth was designated Chief, Office of Boating Safety effective June 1, 1975.
In June 1978 RADM Lauth assumed the post of Commander of the 14th District, Honolulu, HI his present duty station.
RADM Lauth's awards include the World War II Victory Medal and the Expert Pistol Medal as well as the following: Coast Guard Commendation Medal (1961), Coast Guard Letter of Commendation (19162), and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal (1973).
Following is a resume of RADM Lauth's appointments in rank: Ensign, June 3, 1949; Lieutenant (jg), September 27, 1951; Lieutenant, April 1, 1955; Lieutenant Commander, August 1, 1960; Commander, July 1, 1965; Captain, August 11, 1970; Rear Admiral, July 1, 1975.
RADM Lauth's wife is the former Catherine M. of San Diego, Cal., a graduate of San Diego State College. They have two daughters, Mary Kay and Susan Ann.