Faces Bio

David J. Gunster wasborn on August 5, 1926, to Victoria and Herman Gunster.  His home of record is Ridgewood, NJ.  David had two sisters, Grace and Ruth, andone brother, Robert.  He attended BenFranklin Junior High School. He was a graduate of Ridgewood High School in1944where his interests included baseball, biblical studies, football and classicalmusic. He was in the school band and was very active in lighting anddecorations for school plays, Christmas shows, variety shows and the prom.David continued his education at Michigan State College, Command and StaffCollege, and received his master’s degree from George Washington University.

Gunsterjoined the Army reserve in 1943 and was activated in the Air Corp. in 1945. Hewas honorably discharged as a Corporal in August 1946. He was recalled toactive duty in February 1952and commissioned upon completion of Air Force ROTC,getting his wings in June 1952. During his 18-year military career, Gunster wasa B-52 commander as well as a personal pilot for many high-ranking military andcivilian personnel attached to military operations. He was an aide andexecutive officer to Lt. General Richard Montgomery and personal aide toGenerals Preston, Reynolds and Agan.

Hevolunteered for a combat tour in Vietnam where he was killed in action on June6, 1968, in Vietnam, when his fighter-bomber was struck by heavy anti-aircraftfire while on a bombing and strafing mission in support of Marine GroundForces.  He was on his 318^thmission and had only four more days to go to complete his voluntary combattour, before taking his new assignment as Plan Directorate at the Pentagon.

Afterhis WWII service, Gunster attended Farleigh Dickinson for an AA degree and thenMichigan State where he graduated with a BS in 1951. He later earned a MastersDegree from George Washington University and also graduated from the U.S. AirForce Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.

Hewas awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal andnumerous other decorations for gallantry. During the 18 years of hisdistinguished military career, he was Lt. General Richard M. Montgomery’s Aideand Executive Officer, as well as Personal Aide to Generals Preston, Reynoldsand Agan.  He was also a B-52 Commander,as well as personal pilot for many high ranking military and civilian personnelattached to military operations.

Hewas interred with full military honors in Block D, Lot 332, Section A, Grave 2at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus Park, NJ.

Gunster’sbrother, Robert, also served in the military.

Sources:Grace Tullio (sister), newspaper clippings, “At Death he was 25 Years Old” byChristopher C. Stout and NJVVMF.