LTC Gunther is a native of Quincy, Massachusetts who graduated from Stonehill College with a degree in Political Science and was commissioned from Boston University in 2000 as a Distinguished Military Graduate.
After completion of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, LTC Gunther was assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. While at Fort Campbell, he served as a Rifle & Scout Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer deploying in support of the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003.
In 2005, LTC Gunther graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course and was assigned to 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). While at 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) he served as an Operational Detachment - Alpha (ODA) Commander, a Battalion Assistant Operations Officer, the Group Assistant Operations Officer, and the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Deputy Operations Officer. During this time period, he deployed to Afghanistan on three separate occasions in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.
In 2010, LTC Gunther attended the Naval Postgraduate School and the Defense Language Institute (DLI) in Monterey, CA. He earned a Master's of Science in Defense Analysis and an Associate’s Degree in Spanish. In 2012, LTC Gunther returned to 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) where he served as a Company Commander, the Group Executive Officer, and Group S3. In 2013, David deployed his company to Colombia and Peru serving as the commander for Special Operations Command – Forward Andean Ridge.
In 2015, LTC Gunther was assigned to the Office of Chief of Legislative Liaison where he served as a Legislative Liaison. In 2016, he was selected as the Legislative Assistant for the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army (VCSA). Currently, he is serving as the Professor of Military Science at Widener University.
His military education includes Airborne School, the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ranger School, Air Assault School, the Pathfinder Course, Maneuver Captain’s Career Course, SFQC, SERE-C School, Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification Course, Jumpmaster Course, and the Defense Language Institute.
LTC Gunther's awards include the Bronze Star Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with V device, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal (2 X Star), Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 X Star), Global War on Terrorism Medal (Expeditionary), Global War on Terrorism Medal (Service), Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Expert Infantryman Badge.
LTC Gunther is married to the former Miss Kristine Young and they have a daughter, Emerson, who is thirteen years old