A second-generation naval officer from Harpswell and director of the U.S. military’s Joint Warfare Analysis Center retired on June 13 after 25 years of service.
U.S. Navy Capt. David N. “Dave” Taft grew up in Harpswell and attended West Harpswell School. As a senior at Mt. Ararat High School, he was a co-captain of the Eagles’ state championship soccer team in 1994. He is the son of David and Anne Taft, of Harpswell; and Marilyn and Bruce Soper, of Keene, New Hampshire.
Dave Taft joined the Navy in 2000 and served as an officer aboard several ships. For his most recent assignment at sea, he served as executive officer and commanding officer aboard the USS Higgins — a destroyer built at Bath Iron Works.
He spent the remainder of his career on shore assignments, culminating with his post as director of the Joint Warfare Analysis Center. The center provides “timely and accurate engineering and scientific analysis to military commanders and government officials to advance the national security strategy of the United States,” according to its website.
He has a master’s degree in diplomacy from Norwich University and a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Franklin & Marshall College. His numerous military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with five awards.
Two other “Captains Taft” attended his retirement ceremony at the Joint Warfare Analysis Center in Dahlgren, Virginia — his wife, retired Navy Capt. Courtney Parker Taft; and his father, retired Navy Capt. David Taft.
Dave Taft lives with his wife and two children in Dayton, Ohio, where the family is building a home near his in-laws.
