Editor’s note: This tribute is one in a series of reader-submitted tributes to Vietnam War-era veterans that will be posted during April. 

ATN3 DAVID MONROE WILLIS, USN

HOMETOWN: Simi Valley, California

BRANCH: U.S. Navy

HIGHEST RANK OR GRADE ATTAINED: Aviation Electronics Technician Third Class

SIGNIFICANT DUTY STATIONS OR DEPLOYMENTS DURING THE VIETNAM WAR: Killed in action on April 15, 1969. Shot down in the  Navy VQ-1 EC-121/WV-2, call sign Deep Sea 129. Roughly 100 nautical miles off the North Korean peninsular site lies the watery grave of 31 Americans (two bodies were later recovered).