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Joseph
Duelk Jr who we are named after, The picture was taken
shortly before he was killed in action. |
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Joseph D. Duelk,
Jr.,was born in a New York neighborhood known as the South
Bronx, April 25, 1947. Joe was the first born child in a
family of six children, and the only male. He had five
sisters, Virginia, Mary, Loretta, Ruth and Nancy. His Dad,
Joe Sr., was a longtime resident of the South Bronx and was
employed by New York City Transit Authority at the bus
garage on West Farms Road. Joe’s Mom, the late Helen Duelk,
nee Mullen, was the Town Supervisor for the Town of Blooming
Grove. She was of Irish stock by way of Galway
(grandparents) and was very proud of her Irish heritage. Joe
Sr., also claims Irish background with a slight sprinkling
of German.
Young Joe grew up in the South Bronx, an area claimed to be
the 33rd County of Ireland. The majority of families during
the 40s and 50s were either Irish born or first generation
Irish Americans, so from his beginning he was exposed to the
Irish culture.
As a young child, Joe attended St. Angela Merici and
Immaculate Conception grammar schools. His high school
education wove its way through St. Simon Stock and Cardinal
Hayes High schools. However, because the family migrated to
Orange County, (Blooming Grove), Joe completed his High
School education at Washingtonville High School, and
graduated. Following graduation, Joe was employed by the A&P
in Monroe.
When young Joe was in his twentieth year, (1967), the United
States had been involved in a conflict in Vietnam for almost
five years. Media reports regarding casualties were none too
encouraging. The youth of America were been drafted, trained
and shipped out to “Nam” continuously. There were those who
refused to serve and they ran away to Canada. Others burned
their draft cards, demonstrated against the Democratic
government in Washington, and to add insult to injury,
scorned the returning veterans from the war zone.
Joseph D. Duelk, Jr., was not one of the aforementioned. His
country asked and young Joe said yes. On September 25, 1967,
Joe Duelk, Jr., enlisted in the United States Army and
following his training was shipped out..
 He landed in
Vietnam, April 14, 1968 and was assigned to the 1st Cavalry
in Hue. The Tet offensive was ongoing and Hue was a hotbed
of activity. In addition to Viet Cong, North Vietnam
regulars were also present.
Search and destroy missions conducted by the Army dictated
the following procedures: to seek, engage and destroy the
enemy. A simple task, or so it may appear. However, the
enemy knew the terrain, they had ample time to prepare
defenses and establish there booby traps, a foot soldiers
nightmare.
It was on one such operation that Joe Duelk Jr., made the
supreme sacrifice. Only two months “in country” Private
First Class Joseph D. Duelk, Jr., was killed in action in
Hue, Quang Tri Province, Republic of South Vietnam, June 14,
1968.
For his heroism in action, Joe was awarded the Bronze Star
posthumously.
His citation read...................
Citation, By Direction of the President
The Bronze Star Medal (With V Device) is presented
posthumously to Private 1st Class
Joseph D. Duelk, Jr.
For heroism not involving participation in aerial flight, in
connection with military operations against a hostile force
in the Republic of Vietnam, Private First Class Duelk
distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 14
June 1968, while serving as team leader with Company A, 1st
Battalion, 5th Regiment, 1st Calvary, during a search and
destroy mission in Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam.
When his unit became heavily engaged with a large enemy
force, Private First Class Duelk exposed himself to the
hostile fire as he moved to a forward fighting position in
order to place effective suppressive fire against the
insurgents’ positions.
At this time, Private First Class Duelk triggered an enemy
booby trap and was mortally wounded. His display of personal
bravery and devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service, and reflects great
credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Vietnam Memorial, Washington D.C
Joseph D. Duelk, Jr. 57W - Line No17
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Full Name: Joseph
David Duelk JR
Hometown: Monroe, NY
Age: 21
Race: Caucasian
Gender: Male
Religion: Catholic
Marital Status: Single
Branch: Army
Rank: Private First Class / E3
Regiment: 5th Cavalry
Casualty Date: 14-Jun-68 |
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