David Rupp was born in Shiremanstown, Pennsylvania.  He attended the Dickinson College Preparatory School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and then spent two years at Lafayette College before returning to enroll at Dickinson College.  He completed the Classical course in 1916 and went on to the Dickinson Law School.  He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. 

Rupp enlisted in 1917 and took his officer training course at Fort Niagara, New York.  He was then assigned to Company C of the 313th Infantry, 79th Division, joining it at Fort Meade, Maryland.  His unit left for France on January 13, 1918 and Second Lieutenant Rupp was killed in action on September 26, 1918.