09/03/2024
Hale/Clapp VFW Post #3295 is proud to recall the service and memory of a past member. Today we honor Lt. Col. Robert Duda. Bob Served as post adjutant and also was a noted historian of Eastern European Conflicts during World War II.
Robert Duda grew up in the Town of Whately, Ma. graduated from Frontier Regional High School in 1960 and the University of Massachusetts in 1964 earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
After graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force and upon completion of basic training applied for Officer Candidate School where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. His first assignment was as a munitions officer in Germany and, when the Vietnam War escalated, he continued his munitions duty in Korat, Thailand. In 1969 Bob left military service to earn his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts.
In the mid 1970’s, he joined the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard in Westfield, MA. During his military career he received the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the National Defense Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Award, the Vietnam Service and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. In 1996, Bob retired from the 104th Fighter Wing as the Support Group Commander with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel completing 32 years of military service.
Bob was proud of his Lithuanian heritage and upon retirement from the Air National Guard, he began fulfilling the needs of the Lithuanian people, who had achieved independence from the USSR, by undertaking numerous mercy projects. This included soliciting clothes and school supplies and sending them to children’s orphanages in Kaunas. With the help and encouragement of his nurse companion, Ginger Houghton, they solicited medical supplies and equipment, to include nine heart-lung bypass machines, which resulted in the establishment of the Kaunas Heart Center, now the leading heart center in Lithuania.
Bob was an avid reader and a military history enthusiast and possessed a wealth of knowledge of the Civil War. His other local interest was being a Trustee of the S. White Dickinson Library in the Town of Whately where he served as Board Chairman successfully leading many infrastructure improvement projects. Sadly Lt.Col. Duda passed on February 26, 2017. Our post proudly remembers your service to country and humanity.
Hale/Clapp Post #3295 meet every 4th Thursday at 6PM. Post meetings are held at the South Deerfield Fire Station and an optional comradery meeting continuing at the Polish American Citizen Club.
