Name/Title
Duncan, Donald. Francis., Sr., in World War I and Marine Uniform, Photos (2), c. 1918Entry/Object ID
P1991.1H.239Description
Duncan, Donald Francis., Sr., in World War I and Marine Uniform, Photos (2), c. 1918. b/w. Two photos of young man in military uniforms as described below.
Captain Donald Francis Duncan served with the 96th Company, 6th Marines. He was killed in action on June 6, 1918. His remains were interned at the Arlington National Cemetery. The McDonald-Dugger-Duncan V.F.W. Hall was named in his honor. And before that a canteen building at Union Station was named in his honor. See 62.12.111A. He is son of John A. Duncan, who resided at 1027 Messanie
https://marines.togetherweserved.com. Interestingly, this site has the photo we have identified as John A. Duncan (91.1H.238) attached to the site
Duncan's last known activity according to was Chateau-Thierry, the Battle for Belleau Wood. US Navy Dental Service Officer Lt. JG. Weedon Osborne's received the Medal of Honor after being killed trying to save Capt Duncan. Today there is street in Bouresches named for him.
On this day, the Marine Brigade suffered the worst single day's casualties in USMC history with 1087 men killed or wounded.
The capture of Bouresches (The Battle of Belleau Wood) the key event in the battle, was never actually part of the official plan. It was after all behind the woods, which were the main target. But it seemed like a good idea to Captain Donald F. Duncan when he saw the rest of his battalion pinned down at the wood's edge. Duncan was killed in the assault, but his successor, Lieutenant James F. Robertson, led the surviving 50% of the company into the town. When he left for reinforcements his successor Lieutenant Clifton B. Cates realized that the town was being defended by only 21 marines.
Comments/Citation
Captain Donald F. Duncan of the Marine Corps, killed in action, was a native of Missouri, 31 years old, who entered the Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant in 1914.
He was due for promotion to Major in the next few weeks. He was on duty in Guam when Congress declared war last April and was immediately recalled to the United States for service overseas.
Navy Cross
DUNCAN, DONALD F. Captain, U.S. Marine Corps 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. Date of Action: June 6, 1918 Citation: The Navy Cross is presented to Donald F. Duncan, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action at Chateau-Thierry, France, June 6, 1918. Killed in action...
Born: at Kansas City, Missouri
Home Town: St. Joseph, Missouri
Other Award: Distinguished Service Cross (Same Action) 96th Co.
91.1H.239= Man in formal Marine Uniform attire, Same medal as in #239 pinned over his let pocket. Head/shoulders view. Copy of original photo. 714/17252
91.1H.240 = Man in summer style uniform of enlisted man posed before window. Cross medal above his right pocket. He has dark hair, cut military style, clean shaven. Identified as D.F. Duncan Copy of original 714/17253
Original digital scan located on History CD 01Made/Created
Date made
1918Place
City
St. JosephState/Province
MissouriLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Print, PhotographicNomenclature Primary Object Term
PhotographNomenclature Sub-Class
Graphic DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsSearch Terms
World War I, Duncan FamilyRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Donald Francis DuncanProvenance
Notes
Copy of photograph created by Don Reynolds, SJM staff photographer, c. 1960s. Original photo donated by member of Duncan Family along with military uniforms and regalia.
