The Marlborough
Historical Society

    Joseph was born the 17th of December 1918 in Marlborough, Massachusetts one of 8 children born to Salvatore and Louise Duca, the family lived at 133 Beach Street in Marlborough. Joseph graduated from Marlborough High School class of 1936 where he was a star on the football team. His prowess on the gridiron allowed him to be picked up by St Anselm’s University where he continued to play football and graduated with the class of 1941. Joseph enlisted into the Army Air Corps in March of 1942 and received his basic training at Maxwell Field, Alabama before being sent to Camden, South Carolina where he served as a recruiter. Joseph transferred to the Cavalry corps of the army and completed Officer Candidate School at Fort Knox, Kentucky the 3rd of April 1943 where he was also commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He was ultimately assigned to the 83rd Reconnaissance Troop of the 83rd Infantry Division.

    This small unit was assigned the task of providing reconnaissance to the infantry units of the Division and were very mobile driving M8 Greyhound reconnaissance vehicles. Joseph, known as “Duke” with his new command departed the United States from New York the 6th of April 1944 aboard the USAT GEORGE WASHINGTON. The unit arrived in Liverpool, England the 19th of April 1944 and shuffled between various bases in England before departing for France aboard Landing Ship Tanks (LST) the 19th of June 1944 where they arrived at Utah Beach. The 83rd Recon Troop served as the eyes and ears for various infantry units and fought in the battles near Carentan, as well as during the battle of the bulge.

    Duke and his men served in various locations in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany through the end of 1944. In 1945 the troop made the crossing into Germany and on the 2nd of March 1945 while leading the 3rd platoon on a reconnaissance patrol, Joseph came under fire from a German tank near Kapellen, Germany. While directing his men to safety and drawing the fire of the tank, Joseph was killed in action. For his bravery he was awarded a Silver Star. He is buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands at Plot D, Row 9, Grave 12. Duca Drive in Marlborough is named in his honor.

< back to Memorial Honor Roll list