David Foote Sellers was a native of Austin, Texas. He joined the United States Navy in 1890 and was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy from New Mexico. Sellers graduated in 1894, the first from New Mexico to graduate from the Academy, standing fifth in his class of 47. After his mandatory two-year cruise aboard the, he returned to take his final exams, passed with honors, and finished second in his class overall. After graduation, he served in various sea assignments until 1898, including service on the,,, and. During the Spanish–American War he participated in the Samoan Campaign and the Philippine–American War while serving aboard the New York. From 1904 until 1907 he commanded the. Following his destroyer service he was assigned shore duty at the Bureau of Navigation, was a Naval Aide to the White House and then served on the staff of the Commander-In-Chief, United States Asiatic Fleet, Rear Admiral William S. Cowles. During 1914 until 1915 Sellers served as executive officer of the battleship then commanded the cruisers and and the battleship in 1917. From 1918 through the end of First World War, he commanded the transport. Sellers was awarded the Navy Cross for his service during that war. Following the war, he served as Naval Aide to Secretary of the Navy Edwin C. Denby. He commanded the battleship from 1922 until 1923. Sellers was promoted to rear admiral in 1927 and served as Commander, Special Service Squadron during the Nicaraguan Uprising. Following his service with the squadron he served as Judge Advocate General of the Navy from 1929 until 1931. Then Commander, Battleship Division One from 1931–1932. In 1932 he was promoted to vice admiral and was assigned as Commander, Battleships Battle Force, United States Fleet. He was promoted to Admiral on June 10, 1933, and assigned as Commander-in-Chief United States Fleet and continued to serve until June 18, 1934. In 1934 he was reassigned as Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy and served in this capacity until his retirement. He retired March 1, 1938. He died in 1949 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
