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David Bloom
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David Jerome Bloom (May 22, 1963 – April 6, 2003) was an American television journalist (co-anchor of Weekend Today and reporter) until his sudden death in 2003 after a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) became a pulmonary embolism at the age of 39.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

David Bloom was born in Edina, Minnesota,[1] the son of Laura Jean (née Carmichael) and Harold James Bloom. He was an avid ice hockey player and state champion in high school debating in the National Forensic League. Bloom attended Pitzer College in Claremont, California, from 1981 to 1985, where he majored in political science.

In 1985, Bloom was ranked top in the nation for intercollegiate policy debate. He and his partner, Greg Mastel, were ranked the top debate team in the nation before entering the National Debate Tournament of 1985. They lost in quarter-finals to Loyola Marymount.

Professional career

[edit]

He began his television career at WKBT-TV in La Crosse, Wisconsin, covering local government stories. Bloom worked as a general assignment reporter at KWCH-TV in Wichita, Kansas from 1988 to 1989.[citation needed]

In 1989, Bloom joined NBC's WTVJ in Miami. He covered Hurricane Andrew and while reporting the aftermath he chased off would-be looters. In 1991, he won a regional Emmy for investigative journalism for his report on South Florida's role in the shipment of arms to Iraq. He received the Peabody Award and was awarded the Edward R. Murrow Award by the Radio-Television News Directors Association for his hurricane coverage.[citation needed]

In 1993, Bloom joined NBC News as correspondent in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Los Angeles, California in 1995. Bloom covered the presidential campaigns of 1996 and 2000 for the network and in 1997 became NBC's White House correspondent. Former President Clinton said that Bloom's "integrity and good humor will be missed."[2]

During his tenure with NBC, Bloom reported on major stories including presidential races, the September 11 attacks, the Washington-area sniper shootings, and the war in Bosnia. According to the late Tim Russert, former NBC Washington bureau chief, "You couldn't keep him away from a story. Whenever something was breaking, he wanted to be there."[2] In March 2000, Bloom became co-anchor of Weekend Today along with Soledad O'Brien, a position in which he served until his death.

Iraq reporting and death

[edit]
Plaque at National War Correspondents Memorial, Gathland State Park

On April 6, 2003, Bloom was traveling with the U.S. Third Infantry Division in Iraq while covering the Iraq War in a vehicle pegged after his name, the "Bloom Mobile." It was a Ford F250 4 wheel drive Flatbed truck retrofitted with live television and satellite transmission equipment so he could continuously broadcast reports as troops made their way toward Baghdad.[3] Reporting live, round-the-clock, as the American armored column fought north across the desert toward Baghdad, Bloom commented offhandedly on the cramped conditions, excessive heat and lack of sleep that came with the mission.[4][5]

He had been on assignment in Iraq for several weeks when a blood clot in his leg (deep vein thrombosis) traveled to an artery in his lungs, causing a fatal pulmonary embolism.[6] "The clot in Bloom's leg was likely brought on by spending long days and nights cramped inside armored vehicles. One night he called Melanie from a satellite phone in the middle of the night, exposing himself to hostile fire just to get a few minutes outside of an armored tank because his legs had been cramping up."[7]

Personal life

[edit]

Bloom was survived by his wife, Melanie,[8] and three daughters: Nicole, Christine, and Ava.[9] The Blooms were residents of Pound Ridge, New York at the time of his death. After his death, his widow began working with the Coalition to Prevent DVT[10] and married Daniel McNulty in 2008.[11]

The David Bloom Award

[edit]

In 2006 The National Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters established an award to honor excellence in enterprise reporting. ABC World News Tonight co-anchor Bob Woodruff received the award in its first year.[citation needed]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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David Bloom

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from Grokipedia
David Jerome Bloom (May 22, 1963 – April 6, 2003) was an American broadcast journalist employed by , where he reported on national politics and anchored the weekend edition of Today. Bloom began his career at in 1990 after working at local stations in and , rising to cover significant events such as the and serving as White House correspondent from 1997 to 2000. In March 2000, he was appointed co-anchor of , a role that showcased his energetic on-air presence and ability to connect with viewers through human-interest angles in hard news. Bloom's most notable work came during the 2003 , where he embedded with the U.S. Army's Third Infantry Division, providing innovative live broadcasts from an up-armored dubbed the "Bloom Mobile," which allowed real-time reporting from the front lines and offered audiences a ground-level perspective on the invasion. These reports, characterized by their immediacy and Bloom's rapport with troops, marked a pioneering use of in war journalism. On April 6, 2003, while advancing toward , Bloom succumbed to a caused by deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition exacerbated by extended periods of cramped sitting in the vehicle without adequate preventive measures like or frequent movement. His untimely death at age 39 not only deprived of a rising star but also spurred greater awareness of DVT as a preventable "silent killer," particularly in high-risk scenarios involving immobility; his widow, Melanie Bloom, founded the David Bloom Center for DVT Prevention to promote and on clots. Bloom's legacy endures in journalism through his commitment to authentic, boots-on-the-ground storytelling and in via the ongoing impact of his story on protocols.

Early Life and Education

Family and Upbringing

David Bloom was born on May 22, 1963, in , to Laura Bloom and . He grew up in this affluent suburb alongside two brothers, John and Jim. During his youth in Edina, Bloom developed a passion for and , participating avidly in both sports. He also distinguished himself in academics, particularly , achieving state championship status in high school through the National Forensic League. These early experiences fostered skills in communication and resilience that later defined his journalistic career.

Academic Background

David Bloom attended in , from 1981 to 1985, where he majored in . During his time at the college, Bloom achieved distinction as a national debate champion, competing successfully in intercollegiate tournaments. No records indicate further formal academic pursuits beyond his undergraduate studies at Pitzer.

Professional Career

Initial Journalism Roles

Bloom began his broadcast journalism career shortly after graduating from Pitzer College in Claremont, California, in 1985, starting as a reporter at WKBT-TV, the CBS affiliate in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he covered local government stories. He advanced to the role of news anchor at the station, gaining early experience in on-air delivery and storytelling. Bloom next served as a general assignment reporter and investigative at KWCH-TV, the affiliate in , handling a range of and in-depth probes. In 1989, he relocated to , an NBC-owned television station in Miami, , continuing his work as an investigative reporter and covering significant regional stories. These positions at local and network-affiliated stations built his expertise in field reporting, investigations, and live broadcasting prior to his move to national network news.

Advancement at NBC News

David Bloom joined in 1993 as a correspondent based in Chicago, Illinois. In 1995, he relocated to , , where he reported on major stories including the murder trial. Bloom covered the 1996 Republican presidential campaign of and subsequently advanced to the role of NBC's correspondent from 1997 to 2000, providing coverage during the Clinton administration. He also reported on the 2000 presidential campaigns. In March 2000, Bloom was promoted to co-anchor the weekend edition of Today alongside Soledad O'Brien, a position he held until his departure for Iraq War coverage in 2003. This role marked a significant step in his on-air presence and visibility within NBC's morning programming.

Key Assignments and Awards

Bloom joined NBC News in 1993 as a Chicago-based correspondent, covering major domestic stories including the aftermath of in 1992, which earned him recognition for live reporting under hazardous conditions. His work on contributed to co-receiving the 1992 Award and the Radio-Television News Directors Association's Award for excellence in coverage. In 1996, Bloom reported on Bob Dole's Republican presidential campaign, followed by his appointment as NBC's correspondent from 1997 to 2000 during the administration, where he provided daily coverage of administration policies and events. He advanced to co-anchor the weekend editions of NBC's Today show in March 2000, balancing studio duties with field reporting on high-profile cases such as the trial, the Unabomber investigation, the , 2001 attacks, and the Washington-area sniper attacks in 2002. Prior to NBC, Bloom received a 1991 Regional Emmy Award for on South Florida's involvement in arms shipments to while working at in . His innovative reporting style and tenacity in covering breaking news solidified his reputation within .

Iraq War Coverage

Embedding with U.S. Forces

David Bloom embedded with the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division as part of the Pentagon's journalist embedding program during the . He accompanied the division from staging areas in , crossing the border into southern on March 20, 2003, alongside lead elements advancing north toward . The initial advance began with an barrage targeting Iraqi posts manned by 10 to 30 soldiers each, followed by a column of approximately 7,000 vehicles proceeding along tank tracks dubbed "Hurricane " by troops. Bloom reported encountering minimal opposition, as small groups of Iraqi soldiers were rapidly overwhelmed by U.S. forces, allowing lead units to secure a foothold before the main division caught up. Traveling atop an M88 recovery vehicle, Bloom described logistical challenges including navigation around from the 1991 , such as cluster bombs, and pervasive dust that infiltrated meals like MREs and reduced visibility during 17-hour continuous movements. He interacted closely with vehicle crew, including Sgt. Joe Todd, a veteran, and Pvt. Trinity McClain, a 20-year-old from , while observing local civilians waving at the convoy. Troops anticipated stiffer resistance from three Iraqi divisions ahead, including potential Republican Guard units. As the division progressed into central , Bloom covered environmental obstacles like sandstorms that briefly delayed operations and the intensifying push toward , providing on-the-ground accounts of the unit's tactical movements and soldier conditions. His reporting highlighted the embedding program's facilitation of direct access to combat operations, enabling detailed portrayals of and frontline experiences with limited interference.

Bloom Cam and Reporting Innovations

During the , David Bloom pioneered mobile live broadcasting through the "Bloom-mobile," a custom-modified armored that enabled high-quality video transmission while in motion with U.S. forces. The setup featured a gyrostabilized camera mounted on an M-88 recovery vehicle, producing stable, jiggle-free footage at speeds exceeding 50 mph, which Bloom helped design to meet the demands of embedded reporting. Signals from the multi-camera system were relayed via to a trailing transmission truck, then uplinked using KU-band satellite technology on the 12 satellite for crisper images with broader bandwidth than competitors' low-orbit systems. This innovation debuted on March 21, 2003, with Bloom's extended report from the front lines alongside the 3rd Infantry Division, showcasing soldiers interacting with viewers and detailing their field conditions in real time. Gyroscopically stabilized tracking antennas maintained lock during high-speed advances, allowing broadcasts closer to combat than static setups permitted, while flow supported multiple channels efficiently. Unlike stationary competitors, the Bloom-mobile provided dynamic, immersive coverage of troop movements, emphasizing the pace and human elements of the advance. The technology elevated by delivering front-line visuals that conveyed operational tempo and risks, though it risked prioritizing spectacle over broader context. Bloom's approach influenced subsequent war reporting standards, demonstrating how integrated vehicle-camera-satellite systems could bring audiences nearer to events without compromising signal quality.

Health Decline and Death

During the coverage in early April 2003, Bloom began experiencing leg cramps and pain, which he reported to his wife via phone call two nights before his death, attributing them to the demanding conditions of embedding with U.S. forces. These symptoms, including shooting pains that prevented sleep, were later recognized as potential early indicators of thrombosis (DVT), though initially dismissed as muscle strain from prolonged exposure to harsh desert conditions and extended time in the cramped "Bloom Cam" setup atop a . Three days prior to his collapse, Bloom had complained of cramps behind his knee, and military doctors warned him of blood clot risks associated with immobility, , and recent vaccinations, but he continued reporting to maintain coverage momentum. On April 6, 2003, Bloom awoke with intensified pain and swelling in his right , initially treated by medics as a possible or with antibiotics and , allowing him to attempt a . While preparing to transmit from near Al Hindiya, , with the U.S. Third Division, he suddenly collapsed from a caused by a DVT clot dislodging from his and traveling to his lungs; he was airlifted to a field medical unit but never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead at age 39. An confirmed the DVT originated in his injured , exacerbated by hours of immobility in the Bloom Cam vehicle, and revealed an undiagnosed hereditary blood clotting disorder that heightened his risk, despite no prior family history of such issues.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

David Bloom was married to Melanie Bloom, with whom he had three daughters: twins Nicole and Christine, and younger Ava. The family resided in . Following Bloom's death in 2003, Melanie Bloom became an advocate for deep vein thrombosis awareness, drawing on her experiences as his widow and the mother of his children.

Personal Interests

Bloom maintained a strong commitment to his Catholic faith, which he embraced later in life through a family-wide conversion and baptism ceremony involving his wife Melanie and their three daughters. This spiritual journey reflected his prioritization of personal relationships and religious practice over professional accolades, as he expressed in an email to his wife shortly before his death in 2003, stating that he valued his roles as husband, father, and believer above career success. He derived significant joy from interactive and lighthearted activities with his daughters, such as hoisting twins Christine and Nicole under each arm while balancing younger daughter Ava on his shoulders and ascending the family staircase, deliberately pretending to stumble to provoke giggles among the children. Bloom also incorporated into family routines, leading his daughters in reciting the "Our Father" prayer while holding hands in a circle before departing for assignments. These moments underscored his affectionate, hands-on approach to fatherhood, fostering bonds through play and shared rituals.

Legacy

The David Bloom Award

The David Bloom Award, presented annually by the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association (RTCA), recognizes excellence in enterprise reporting by broadcast journalists. Established in 2006, the award includes a $2,000 cash prize and honors the memory of correspondent David Bloom, who died in 2003 while covering the , emphasizing innovative and courageous akin to Bloom's embedded reporting style. Recipients are selected for in-depth investigative work conducted under challenging conditions, such as conflict zones or high-stakes environments, prioritizing fresh, daring approaches that advance public understanding. The award is conferred during the RTCA's annual dinner on , with nominations open to radio and television correspondents demonstrating sustained enterprise efforts. Notable winners include Scripps News in 2024 for the investigation "Ukraine's Stolen Orphans," which examined the forced relocation of Ukrainian children amid Russia's invasion; CNN in 2023 for enterprise reporting contributions; and the BBC's Paul Wood in 2015 for frontline coverage from Iraq. Other honorees, such as CBS News' Clarissa Ward in 2012 for Syria reporting, underscore the award's focus on perilous, on-the-ground journalism that yields significant revelations.

DVT Awareness Efforts

Following David Bloom's death from a caused by deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on April 6, 2003, while embedded with U.S. forces in , his widow Melanie Bloom became a leading for DVT prevention and awareness. She served as the national patient spokesperson for the Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis, a multidisciplinary alliance formed in 2003 to educate healthcare providers, policymakers, and the public on DVT risks, particularly in high-risk groups like travelers and post-surgical patients. Under her leadership, the coalition's efforts in 2005 contributed to the formal designation of as National DVT Awareness Month in the United States, emphasizing symptoms such as leg pain, swelling, and , which Bloom had experienced but were not promptly recognized before his fatal . Melanie Bloom's advocacy extended to public education campaigns highlighting preventable risk factors, including prolonged immobility from Bloom's extended time in the confined Bloom Cam vehicle during war coverage, which restricted leg movement and elevated DVT likelihood. She collaborated with medical organizations to promote interventions like , hydration, and early ambulation, drawing from autopsy findings that revealed Bloom's DVT had developed undetected despite his relative youth and fitness at age 39. By 2013, marking the 10-year anniversary of Bloom's death, the coalition reported achievements such as increased screening protocols in hospitals and greater media coverage of DVT as a "silent killer" affecting up to 900,000 Americans annually, with Bloom's story cited as a pivotal in these advancements. Ongoing initiatives honor Bloom's legacy through events like World Thrombosis Day, where Melanie Bloom has advocated for to identify hereditary clotting risks, noting that such factors may have contributed to his case alongside environmental stressors. These efforts have measurably boosted public knowledge; surveys post-2003 campaigns showed improved recognition of DVT symptoms among travelers, correlating with Bloom's high-profile as a catalyst for policy changes, including CDC guidelines on venous thromboembolism prevention. Despite progress, advocates like Bloom continue to stress underdiagnosis, as DVT remains a leading cause of preventable deaths, with her testimony influencing congressional hearings on anticoagulation therapies.

Broader Impact on Journalism and Tributes

David Bloom's innovative use of the "Bloom Cam," a satellite-linked camera mounted on a Bradley Fighting Vehicle, exemplified the potential of embedded reporting to deliver unfiltered, real-time visuals from the battlefield, influencing subsequent war coverage by prioritizing mobility and immediacy over traditional static setups. This approach, which allowed broadcasts directly from advancing U.S. forces during the 2003 Iraq invasion, set a precedent for technological integration in live journalism, enabling reporters to convey the chaos and pace of modern warfare more dynamically than prior conflicts like the 1991 Gulf War. Colleagues noted that Bloom's adaptations raised the bar for embedded journalists, fostering a model where visual storytelling from within military units became standard, though it also underscored vulnerabilities such as health risks in prolonged, high-stress environments. His death on April 6, 2003, from a prompted immediate tributes across and the broader media landscape, with anchors like expressing profound shock on air, describing the loss as a "hard morning" for . , in a 2004 reflection, hailed Bloom as the "true reporter," crediting his Iraq dispatches as career-defining work that captured the war's raw intensity. Annual remembrances, including 's 10-year and 20-year anniversaries in 2013 and 2023, featured colleagues like and praising his enthusiasm, family devotion, and pioneering spirit, while highlighting how his reporting humanized the troops' experiences. Bloom's legacy extended to formal honors, such as inclusion in the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation's recognitions alongside peers like Michael Kelly, emphasizing his contributions to combat reporting during the 's early phase. A plaque at the War Correspondents Memorial in Gathland commemorates his service, reflecting sustained acknowledgment of his role in advancing journalistic access amid military operations. These tributes collectively underscored Bloom's influence in elevating embedded journalism's credibility and risks, without romanticizing the profession's dangers. ![Plaque commemorating David Bloom at the War Correspondents Memorial][float-right]

References

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  2. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna4686035
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  7. https://fallenjournalists.org/fallen-journalists-memorial-foundation-honors-the-lives-of-michael-kelly-david-bloom-elizabeth-neuffer-around-the-20th-anniversary-of-their-deaths-while-covering-the-iraq-war/
  8. https://www.nbcnews.com/video/journalist-david-bloom-s-enduring-legacy-20-years-after-his-death-part-2-168314949680
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