Duke Jesse Durfee

2022-08-16T14:04:26-05:00
Navy Badge
  • Name: Duke Jesse Durfee
  • Location of Birth: Kane County, Illinois
  • Date of Birth: February 14, 1924
  • Date of Death: March 9, 2012 (88 years old)
  • Parents: Duke Stevens Durfee and Grace (Blazey) Durfee
  • High School and Class:
  • College: Purdue University
  • Highest Rank:
  • Branch: Navy
  • Other Branch:
  • Date Sworn In:
  • Place Sworn In:
  • Date of Discharge:
  • Place of Discharge:
  • Military Awards:

  • Military Highlights:
    Duke enlisted in the United States Navy in January, 1943. He served in the North Atlantic and Pacific Theaters on the Destroyer USS Eberle.

    Information in the United States, World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:
    Name: Duke Jesse Durfee
    Race: White
    Age: 18
    Birth Date: February 14, 1924
    Birth Place: Aurora, Illinois
    Registration Date: June 29, 1942
    Registration Place: Wheaton, Dupage, Illinois, USA
    Employer: D. S. Durfee and Student
    Height: 6'
    Weight: 190
    Complexion: Light Brown
    Hair Color: Brown
    Eye Color: Hazel
    Next of Kin: D. S. Durfee

    Information in the United States, World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949:
    Name: Duke Jessee Durfee, Junior
    Ship, Station or Activity: Eberle
    Ship Number or Designation: DD-430
    Muster Date: August 31, 1943

    Information in the United States, World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949:
    Name: Duke Jesse Durfee
    Ship, Station or Activity: Eberle
    Ship Number or Designation: DD-430
    Muster Date: April 30, 1945

  • Wars Involved:
    World War II

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    Duke grew up Wheaton, Illinois and entered Purdue University in the fall of 1942 on a football scholarship. He returned to Purdue University in 1946.

    From 1949 to 1956, Duke managed family farms in DePage County, Illinois.

    Joining Caterpillar Tractor Company in 1956, he served as Field Engineer in Johannesburg, South Africa from 1957-1961 and as East African District Representative in Nairobi, Kenya. In 1963 he established one of the earliest Deere and Company Construction Equipment dealerships in North Mankato, Minnesota.

    Active in the industry, he served as President of Deere's Industrial Dealer Association, Minnesota Land Improvement Contractors and founding member of the Board of Directors of the Construction Management course at Mankato State University.

    Duke had a lifelong love of flying. In retirement he volunteered with Angel Flight of South Florida, which arranges free air transport for charitable needs.

    He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Shirley (Harris) Durfee; daughter Barbara Phillips; sons Duke H. and Brian; and his sister Jane Skinner.

    Duke died in Naples, Florida. No funeral service was held.

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):

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