David W. Watson was born on November 18, 1938, and grew up in Plainview, Texas. He graduated from Texas Tech University in 1964 with a BS in Geology. He served two tours in Vietnam: the first from 1965 to 1966 and the second in 1969. While he was in Vietnam, he was a helicopter pilot for A Company, 158th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division. He was killed on April 25, 1969, when his helicopter was shot down by the enemy. He was married to Dovie Watson and has a son,David Watson, Jr.
