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U.S. Marine Corps
Cpl. Quinnon W. Duke |
| Utah Native Continues Family Legacy |
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By Lance Cpl. Josh Cox
II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) |
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, Nov. 3, 2005 — A young boy looked up to his grandfather, a Bronze Star recipient who served in the Army during World War II, and grew up to follow a legacy that he continues today in Iraq.
Cpl. Quinnon W. Duke, 27, said his grandfather's service called him to pursue a career in the military, and the nobility of the Corps motivated him to become a Marine.
“My grandfather was a strong man with good morals,” he said. “He was successful in life. He fought in many campaigns during WW II, to include Guadalcanal. I knew that I wanted to be a successful person with strong values. Even after he had a stroke that confined him to a wheelchair, he pushed on for another 12 years; this is how he inspired me.”
“I joined the Marine Corps because I wanted to be the best,” said the native of Logan, Utah.
Duke, a manpower analyst, supports manpower information database software, and teaches administrative Marines how to use and operate the crucial software here.
The 1996 Logan High School graduate initially served as a reserve Marine while attending Utah State University, and worked in restaurants during the late 1990s.
In 2001, Duke, who is currently operating with Manpower Information System Support Office 11, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, II MEF (Forward), decided to transition to active duty because he enjoyed his career in the Marine Corps.
“I liked the Marines, and I decided that is what I wanted to do,” he said.
Before deploying to the Middle East in August, Duke served in Chicopee, Mass., assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 472, and in Kansas City, Mo. with MISSO 16-17.
“Massachusetts was a culture shock,” he said. “I never really spent time on the East Coast. I re-enlisted while I was there.”
While serving in Kansas City, Duke was augmented to II MEF to support Operation Iraqi Freedom here.
“I enjoy the work I do,” he said. “I have the pride of being a Marine.”
Duke said his job requires him to instruct others on the manpower software, which can be challenging. |
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| U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Quinnon W. Duke, 27, said his grandfather’s service in World War II called him to pursue a career in the military, and the nobility of the Corps motivated him to become a Marine. Duke, a manpower analyst, supports manpower information database software and teaches administrative Marines how to use and operate the crucial software at Camp Fallujah, Iraq. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Josh Cox |
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“The challenges are introducing new systems, and giving classes,” he said. “I'm definitely not a public speaker.”
Even though Duke isn't keen on public speaking, he said he overcomes the anxiety in several ways.
“Practice, study and hard work are the only ways to overcome it,” he said.
Duke's superiors have picked up on his attitude for success.
“Cpl. Duke is capable of communicating on any level,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Terry L. Slater, MISSO-11 staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge. “He is an outstanding instructor and truly enjoys passing on the experience he's gained. I would love to work with him any time, anywhere.”
Duke said he is glad to be a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and looks forward to reading about the events in history books.
“To me, it's good to know I'm a part of a world event; part of freeing a country from oppression,” he said. “…part of a big event that will go down in history.”
Like many Marines serving in the Corps today, Duke is working to become an expert in his field, and is pursuing a college education in conjunction with his duties in the military.
“My goal is to become proficient enough at what I do to become a warrant officer,” he said. “In the meantime, I'm working on an electronic engineering degree.” |
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