Lieutenant Commander David W. Chenault, II was born in Annapolis, Maryland. He received his commission in 1964 through the United States Naval Academy.
     His first assignment to duty was in 1964 onboard USS O'BANNON (DD-450) where he served as First Lieutenant until 1966. In January 1967 he was transferred to duty as Weapons Officer on USS BENNER (DD-807) until September of 1968 when he was appointed to the Naval Postgraduate School where he majored in Mechanical Engineering. He graduated in December 1970 with a Master of Science Degree in Engineering.
     In January 1971, he assumed command of the USS BRULE (AKL-28) until November 1971. Then in January 1972 he was selected for exchange duty with the Royal Australian Navy where he served at the Royal Australian Naval Headquarters in Canberra. In September 1973 he was appointed as Operations Room Officer onboard the HMAS TORRENS (DE-53) of the Australian Navy. A year later he was transferred to the Mare Island Shipyard to begin duty as a Ships Superintendent.
     In January 1977, Lieutenant Commander Chenault was appointed Executive Officer onboard USS RICHARD S. EDWARDS (DD-950).