Dave was born on Feb. 17, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York. His parents, Louis and Jennie (Nuskin) Platoff, were immigrants from Russia. Dave celebrated his bar mitzvah on Feb. 20, 1937 at the Jewish Center of Kings Highway.
On Feb. 18, 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an apprentice seaman. His first duty assignment was aboard the USS North Carolina, the battleship on which he served during World War II. As a member of the North Carolina crew, Dave saw action in the Pacific
including the capture and defense of Guadalcanal, the Eastern Solomons, New Georgia Island, the Gilbert Islands, Nauru, the Marshall Islands, Truk Island, and other campaigns. After the war, he served in the occupation forces in Asia and Europe. Dave also served during the Korean War.Throughout his naval career, Dave served on the following ships: USS North Carolina, USS Wolverine, USS Grand Canyon, USS Ashtabula, USS Tacoma, USS A.T. Harris, USS The Sullivans, USS Braine, USS A.E. Anderson, USSA.C. Cockrell, and the USS Constellation. He received the following citations and awards: Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Naval Expeditionary Medal, American Defense Service Medal with fleet clasp, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 9 stars, WWII Victory Medal, Navy WWII Occupation Medal with Asia and Europe clasps, China Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with 4 stars, Korean Presidential Unit Ribbon, UN Korean Service Medal, and the ROK Korean Medal. U.S. Navy Memorial Log
Dave retired from active duty as a Boatswain's Mate, First Class on Sept. 5, 1962 after 22 years of service. He served in the active reserves for an additional ten years.
While stationed at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, he met Clay Center native Barbara Newell, who was a Radioman Third Class in the Navy. They were married on Feb. 27, 1960. Their first son, Michael Steven, was born on Sept. 16, 1961 in New York. Following Dave's retirement, the family moved to Clay Center. Dave served as a member of the Clay Center Fire Department for ten years. Their second son, Trent Evan, was born on Sept. 20, 1963 at Ft. Riley. The couple's only daughter, Darci Rene, was born on May 6, 1969, also at Ft. Riley. Dave left the Fire Department to work for the Clay Center Public Utilities, and continued to serve as a volunteer fire fighter for a number of years. He retired from Public Utilities in 1986.
Dave was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of ForeignWars, and the Elks Lodge. He was an avid reader and a frequent visitor at the Clay Center Carnegie Library. Dave will be remembered for his unique sense of humor.
Dave Platoff was preceded in death by his parents, by his brother, Irving, and by a grandson, Brett Michael Ihnen. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, of Clay Center. Additional survivors include his son Michael Platoff, and wife Annie, of Goodyear, Arizona; his son Trent Platoff, and wife Aimee of Nixa, Missouri and his daughter Darci Ihnen and husband Johnny; and four grandchildren.