A native of South Dakota, David Volk was drafted after graduating from college. He served two years-a year of that in Vietnam as a combat photographer with the 101st Airborne Division and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and Bronze Star. He was later elected State Treasurer of South Dakota, the youngest person in the state's history to be elected to a statewide office. Reelected four times, he helped found and serve as the first president of the National Association of State Treasurers. Appointed by the Reagan Administration as Chairman of the Vietnam Veteran's Volunteer Program, he was responsible for setting up an outreach program for troubled veterans from the Vietnam era. He is a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans.