Retired Air Force Col. David Willetts was born in Morgantown, W.Va. After attending the University of West Virginia, he joined the Army Air Corps.

While stationed at the Lake Charles Army Airfield, he met Paula Partridge. They were married when he returned from the war. He served in World War II as a bomber pilot, flying 57 combat missions over Europe as commander in the 671st European Theater of Operations. On June 6, 1944 — D DAY — he flew the lead aircraft of 74 A20 bombers over France. His other missions included the Battle of the Bulge. At the time, he was one of the youngest men in the Air Corp to hold his rank and position. During this time, David had Paula's name painted across the front of his A-26 aircraft.

After the war, David returned immediately to Lake Charles and, within days, he and Paula were married. Their first assignment was in Tokyo, Japan, where he served on Gen. Douglas MacArthur's staff. After three years, he, with his wife, returned to serve four years at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and then served as assistant air attache in Rio De Janiero, Brazil, and later at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Ariz. They retired to Palm Desert, Calif