It was difficult not to feel a bit emotional as Keri Duff of Mattapoisett talked about her grandfather John R. Duff Sr. I had promised to get in touch with her before the 2024 Veteran’s Day observances in Mattapoisett as she had a story to share about her grandfather. There had been a Purple Heart ceremony in August at which time Duff was recognized as a Purple Heart recipient. But Keri had learned of the event on that day. She wanted to make sure her grandfather was adequately represented so I promised to reach out to her and write her grandfather’s story as viewed through her loving lens.
Keri began by sharing how pivotal Duff had been in the lives of his grandchildren. She said he always made time to play or teach them something. Oftentimes at the same time. Duff is remembered as a devoted husband caring for his wife in her later years and always putting a shine on things even if times were difficult.
Yet there is a bigger story to be told. Duff was not only a much-loved father and grandfather to children who remember him with great fondness, he was a decorated veteran honored by a Purple Heart with two clusters. Keri said of a man who always seemed to have a smile at the ready, that while serving overseas during the Korean War he wrote loving and supportive letters to his wife, most of which are now maintained in the family archives.
Also in those cherished papers are newspaper stories about Duff’s heroism. Keri said he received numerous medals for his service, including a Bronze Star.
One newspaper article reads, “Duff received the Bronze Star for heroic action on hill 174 during a Korean fight…he followed the enemy who he found could be quite tricky. The Korean’s employed a type of guerilla warfare much different than that he had experienced with the Germans during WWII.” Keri said by following the enemy to where they were entrenched, he was able to pinpoint for the artillery where to shoot, thus neutralizing the enemy.
Duff’s son John (Jack) Duff Jr., longstanding member of the Marine Advisory Board, remembers the story of hill 174 a bit differently. “When my father got to the top of the hill and looked back, his platoon was gone – he was alone!” That bit of memory caused Jack to chuckle.
The newspaper reported action at hill 174 this way, “Near the top of the hill the platoon was subjected to enemy fire, fearlessly and in disregard of the enemy fire, Duff moved over the top of the hill to observe the enemy’s defense position. Duff planned the best tactical approach leading his squad over the hill and while directing their fire.” Like so many pieces of history, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.
Regardless, Duff was wounded a total of three times, serving with valor and bravery under fire in different parts of the world. By all the accounts from both Jack and Keri, John R. Duff Sr. never talked about the wars he experienced first-hand, always deflecting attention away from himself.
Duff was preparing to retire from his long military career before the outbreak of the Korean War. His son told us that he had been teaching at the War College in Leavenworth, KS. “He’d been in many campaigns. Italy, Germany, France, North Africa…they told him he was too valuable, he couldn’t retire.” He was sent to Korea.
Once home, he plunged into another career; that of an educator. Duff assisted in the development and deployment of the ROTC (1951-1964) program at New Bedford High School. Keri said that a former student who described himself as a troubled teen credited Duff with helping to turn his life around, “He never gave up on me.” Duff would also become a principal at Sippican Elementary school (1968-1986).
As we remember our veterans, let’s never forget that though many are gone forever, keeping their stories alive honors their service and their lives.
By Marilou Newell