David Craig Gunderson

David Craig Gunderson was a 1966 graduate of Mason City High School and attended North Iowa Area Community College. He worked for Central Lock & Repair Service until her joined the Army. SP5 Gunderson entered the service in December 1968 and was deployed to Vietnam in June 1969. Prior to leaving the United States he was married in Virginia. SP5 Gunderson was serving with the 1st Aviation Brigade as a Huey Helicopter Repairman. He was a month away from being sent home when he was killed on May 5, 1970. SP5 Gunderson was aboard a helicopter when it was shot down by enemy fire. The aircraft crashed and ignited in flames, he died as a result of burns. A funeral was held at Mason City’s Trinity Lutheran Church and he was buried in the Memorial Park Cemetery. He was 22 years old at the time of his death and left behind a wife and baby daughter.