Private First Class David Gonzales was born on June 9, 1923, in Pacoima, California. He enlisted in the US Army at the outbreak of World War II and in December 1944, he was deployed to the Philippines to face combat. On April 25, 1945, Gonzales and his company found themselves pinned down under heavy enemy fire. A bomb then struck their perimeter, burying five of his fellow men in its explosion. Without hesitation, Gonzales took up an entrenching tool and crawled 15 yards towards his trapped comrades. Gonzales fearlessly used his bare hands and the tool to dig out his team.He successfully freed five men before he was struck by machine-gun fire and mortally wounded. David Gonzales lost his life in action at the age of 21. Thanks to his gallant sacrifice, the rescued soldiers were safely evacuated. On December 8, 1945, President Harry S. Truman posthumously awarded Gonzales the Medal of Honor. He also received other distinguished honors, including the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Expert Rifle Badge.