David J. Gunster was born on August 5, 1926, to Victoria and Herman Gunster. His home of record is Ridgewood, NJ. David had two sisters, Grace and Ruth, and one brother, Robert. He attended Ben Franklin Junior High School. He was a graduate of Ridgewood High School in1944 where his interests included baseball, biblical studies, football and classical music. He was in the school band and was very active in lighting and decorations for school plays, Christmas shows, variety shows and the prom. David continued his education at Michigan State College, Command and Staff College, and received his master’s degree from George Washington University.
Gunster joined the Army reserve in 1943 and was activated in the Air Corp. in 1945. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal in August 1946. He was recalled to active duty in February 1952and commissioned upon completion of Air Force ROTC, getting his wings in June 1952. During his 18-year military career, Gunster was a B-52 commander as well as a personal pilot for many high-ranking military and civilian personnel attached to military operations. He was an aide and executive officer to Lt. General Richard Montgomery and personal aide to Generals Preston, Reynolds and Agan.
He volunteered for a combat tour in Vietnam where he was killed in action on June 6, 1968, in Vietnam, when his fighter-bomber was struck by heavy anti-aircraft fire while on a bombing and strafing mission in support of Marine Ground Forces. He was on his 318th mission and had only four more days to go to complete his voluntary combat tour, before taking his new assignment as Plan Directorate at the Pentagon.
After his WWII service, Gunster attended Farleigh Dickinson for an AA degree and then Michigan State where he graduated with a BS in 1951. He later earned a Masters Degree from George Washington University and also graduated from the U.S. Air Force Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.
He was awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal and numerous other decorations for gallantry. During the 18 years of his distinguished military career, he was Lt. General Richard M. Montgomery’s Aide and Executive Officer, as well as Personal Aide to Generals Preston, Reynolds and Agan. He was also a B-52 Commander, as well as personal pilot for many high ranking military and civilian personnel attached to military operations.
He was interred with full military honors in Block D, Lot 332, Section A, Grave 2 at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus Park, NJ.
Gunster’s brother, Robert, also served in the military.
Sources: Grace Tullio (sister), newspaper clippings, “At Death he was 25 Years Old” by Christopher C. Stout and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
