David Bontrager was born July 3, 1926 in Springer, NM. His family moved to Kansas and Bontrager attend school in Reno Co. KS. He attended two years of High School at Partridge, KS before being drafted into the Army. He entered the Army at Fort Leavenworth KS and at the encouragement of his brother (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 did have to make jumps and learn what jumpers do. Along with packing rigs for paratroopers he taught them how to get ready to jump. Bontrager became a squad leader and completed his military service in the United States. He did use the GI Bill to take pilot lessons when he returned home. Bontrager married and had three children. When he was in the service he had three brothers that where serving at the same time. Dan, Ira and Eli. All returned home safe and had families. At the end of his interview, David talks about his brothers. Their profiles can be found in Ike's Soldiers.