David Bontrager

Personal Information

Birthplace: Springer, NM

Service Information

Branch of Service: Army

Unit: 82nd Airborne

Theater of Operation: American

Enlisted / Commissioned: Nov 10, 1946

Highest Rank: Sergeant 3rd Class

Honored By: The Eisenhower Foundation

Biography

David Bontrager was born July 3, 1926, in Springer, New Mexico. His family moved to Kansas, and Bontrager attend school in Reno County, Kansas. He attended two years of high school in Partridge, Kansas, before being drafted into the Army.

He entered the Army at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and at the encouragement of his brother, who was already serving, he volunteered to be a parachute rigger for the paratroopers. It also paid $50 extra to do this job, which was a bonus. David had to learn to make jumps and learn what jumpers do. Along with packing rigs for paratroopers, he taught them how to get ready to jump. He became a squad leader and completed his military service in the United States. He used the G.I. Bill to take pilot lessons when he returned hone. David married and had three children. When he was in the service, he had three brothers who where serving at the same time: Dan, Ira, and Eli. All returned home safe and had families.