David Lee McMath

David Lee McMath was born and raised in Creston. He moved with his family to Monroe in Jasper County while in high school. McMath graduated from New Monroe Community High School in the class of 1966 and enlisted in the Marine Corps in the summer after graduation. After completing rifleman training, LCPL McMath was sent to South Vietnam in December 1966. He was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, in the 1st Marine Division. The 19-year-old died on August 12, 1967 from drowning while bathing in a river near Danang in the Quang Nam Province. His body was recovered and returned to Iowa. A funeral service was held at the Baptist church in Monroe and his body was buried at the Graceland Cemetery in Creston.