James Duhig: ‘The luckiest SOB alive’

By Mallory Pistek, Honor Flight Chicago Veteran Interview Volunteer

James R. Duhig was born in the city of Chicago in 1947. Living at 79th and Cottage Grove, James was one of eleven children (being #7 himself). He remembers always being surrounded by family. Unfortunately, just three months shy of his 8th birthday, James’s mother passed away of cancer. His father, a Chicago Police officer, was told by friends that he would need to send some children to the orphanage, as there was no way he would be able to support 11 children on his own.  James actually remembers driving past the orphanage and seeing the bars on the windows. Luckily, his father refused to give up his children and instead met a childless widow who he soon married. James recalls this “being the best thing that ever happened to his family.” His family moved in 1956 and welcomed the 12th and final sibling to the family. 

After moving, James attended St. Thomas Moore Parish for grammar school, graduating in 1961.  He then attended Mt. Carmel, where he graduated in 1965.  James recalls “being real smart but not a good student.”

With the conflict in Vietnam heating up, and being almost 19, James knew that he would be drafted. He was classified as 1A (before birthdays were assigned a number, as happened later in the war). James stated that because he knew he would be going, he went down to 63rd and Western to get an idea of when his draft letter would arrive. He was told by the lovely lady in the office that within the month he would receive his orders. James laughed as he stated that “four days later” his letter showed up in the mail. 

On November 2, 1966 James reported to basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Luckily, he was in good shape physically and didn’t struggle too much. James recalls being told that he would be assigned as a military police officer. He thought that would be a good fit as his dad was a Chicago cop. However, at the end of basic, James was not sent to learn this skill but instead was sent to the 101st Airborne Rigger Outfit. 

The 101st is a light infantry unit of the US Army that specializes in air assault operations. Early in the war airplanes were the primary method of delivering troops into action, while later, a major shift was made to helicopters.  As part of the Green Camp, James’s unit was in charge of the heavy equipment. As he was not a jumper, James recalls being called a “leg”.  This did not sit well with him, as he believed if they could do it, why couldn’t he? Therefore he put in for a 1049 transfer to Jump School, which was granted. 

With his transfer granted, James headed to Ft. Benning, Georgia, where he specialized in jumping out of airplanes. In May 1967, James headed back to the 101st and was ready to become a jumper. Much to his displeasure however, he received his orders to report to Vietnam within the week. Luckily, he was able to accomplish one jump before leaving. James stated that he remembers, when on leave in Chicago, meeting up with a friend, Rusty. James asked Rusty his specialty and Rusty replied he was being sent as a Navy Medic. James informed Rusty that he would be working with the US Marines and wished him luck. When Rusty asked James his, James replied that he “liked jumping from planes”.  Rusty replied, “and I’m the one who’s crazy?!”

Once in Vietnam, James was placed into a supply company where he became a supply clerk. He isn’t sure how he got these new orders since he was a jumper. His first placement was Phan Rang, where the base was located for the 101st. James arrived before the whole division and soon all were sent to Bien Hoa as their new base of operations.  Once at the new headquarters, James and others of the 101st were placed into Class 2 and Class 4 which were responsible for keeping track of the expendable supplies. These are supplies that did not need an accurate count, such as uniforms, M16’s, jeeps, and motors.  As often as daily, James’s unit would receive an FSC (or a forward support company request).  In James’s telling, the Air Force guys were “too scared” to take the supplies because of the heavy combat taking place where they were needed. However, the supplies were needed “now” so James and his unit would load up the C130 and head out. 

Before being assigned his position, James remembers being at the Replacement Center in Phan Rang where he was interviewed by a Major to join a LRRP outfit (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol). He was told by the Major before the interview began to give honest answers, as the Major only wanted the best of the best. James was told that he would be the best equipped soldier there was, as him and four other soldiers, all in camo, would be taken and dropped behind enemy lines as a forward observer who would report enemy positions back. James response to the job… “Five guys. Can I be honest? I don’t like the numbers”.  He vividly recalls the Major not taking his response well and answering back, “you just made yourself a volunteer”.  James recalls being told that the Major was killed in a helicopter crash later that day and that’s why he was never chosen for the job.  

After a year in Vietnam, James came home on a commercial flight out of Saigon. The first thing he asked for was a glass of milk from the flight attendant as he was use to skim milk.  She brought him a glass, he took and sip, and was disgusted! “What is this? I can’t drink this.” It was whole milk.

James plane landed in Hawaii. James remembers wanting to be last off the plane. When he stepped off the plane and his feet touched the ground, he got on his knees and kissed the ground.  He remembers thinking to himself “you are the luckiest SOB alive”. James couldn’t believe he was only twenty years old. 

Once in Oakland, James was at the Separation Center where he went up to the paymaster who owed him around $3,500 in backpay. After handing over his slip, the paymaster started to count out his earnings in twenty dollar bills. James remembers asking for larger bills, as not to attract the wrong crowd with so much money is his pocket and received the response, “do you wanna get paid or not?” So out he walks with all his twenties to a cab that took him to the airport to head back to Chicago. Seeing as his flight wasn’t until midnight and he was a little under a month shy of his 21st birthday, James decided to wait out his time in the bar while dressed in his uniform.  There he ordered a Budweiser and was asked for identification. James admitted he wasn’t yet 21 but was just getting back from spending a year in Vietnam.  Once again, with a small chuckle while thinking of the memory, James stated that the bartender refused to serve him.

Back home, James took advantage of the GI Bill to go back to school. He moved in with three friends on Rush Street. One night, he went to a Young Democrats meeting and out to a bar after where he was then introduced to his future wife (Kathy), who also lived on Rush Street with three of her girlfriends.  The next night he attended a party at Kathy’s apartment. He remembers seeing her, and stopped to say hi. She looked at him like she didn’t know him and when he reminded her that they met the previous night, she stated that she “didn’t remember him.”  James waited a whole week before calling and Kathy admitted, she didn’t think he was going to call. After dating for two years, James and Kathy were married on March 16, 1973.  

Thanks to his father-in-law, James was given the opportunity to work at the Metric Felt & Gasket CO. where his father-in-law was part owner. When offered the job, James remembers answering, “I’ll only take the job if I can someday own the company”.  His father-in-law laughed and stated, “that’s exactly what I want hear.” James worked for Metric Felt from 1976 thru 2017.  He retired as President and CEO. 

Nowadays James fills his time playing A LOT of golf.  James and Kathy have been married for 51 years this past March and have three daughters as well as seven grandchildren.  James has traveled all over the world for both work and pleasure. His favorite trip was with his daughters to Australia to visit family.  James stated that he would love to see the beaches of Normandy if he ever got the chance.

James left the Army with an Honorable Discharge and a rank of E-4. For his service in the war he received a Bronze Star as well as two Army Commendation medals (He kept these secret from everyone but his wife until almost 50 years after his tour ended).  When asked to reflect on his time in service, James stated, “I will always have the memory of serving my country in the best unit they have, the 101st Airborne Division. I think of and remember my good friend Rusty Sweeney every day of my life. A good guy taken from us in the first week he was in that God forsaken place called Viet Nam. May he Rest In Peace.”

James could not be more excited about his honor flight. He found out about this opportunity from a Vet who went on a previous flight. James stated that after his flight, he hopes to volunteer with the organization in the future.  

Thank you for your service James. Enjoy your Honor Flight!