Hometown Heroes
Staff Sgt. Thomas F. Duffy U.S. Army (1922-1944)
By Michael Rocchetti
In late October of 1944, elements of the US Army’s 3rd Infantry Division “the Dogface Soldiers” were fighting their way through the Vosges Mountains of France, in the rugged terrain of the dense Mortagne Forest, close to the city of Saint-Dié. They were facing German troops who were blocking their advance through the area.
It was here on October 28th 1944 where Thomas “Duffy” Duffy was killed in action. Staff Sergeant Thomas F. Duffy enlisted in the U.S. Amy on March 26 1943. He was assigned to 30th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division – the most highly decorated American Division of WWII. He fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and France. His luck ran out on October 28th 1944 when he was killed instantly by the explosion of a German artillery shell.
He was born June 4, 1922, the son of Thomas Duffy and Margaret Curran. He had a younger brother named Robert who was also in the service as a tail gunner on a B-29 bomber. Thomas Duffy is buried at Plot B, Row 17, Grave: 40 at the American Military Cemetery in Epinal, France. The following newspaper articles about him were written by people who knew him well.
Putnam Patriot, November 16, 1944: Sgt. Thomas Duffy Killed In France: A young man, loved and respected by all with whom he ever came in contact, Staff Sergeant Thomas Duffy, 22, son of Mrs. Thomas F. Duffy of 19 Walnut Street, was killed in action in France on October 28th, according to a War Department telegram received by his mother last Sunday night. Tommy, as he was familiarly called, was an unusual boy and had the happy faculty of making countless friends with a most pleasing disposition and understanding nature. Many in the community expressed deep regret when the news of his death was circulated Monday morning and his brave mother has been the recipient of numerous messages of condolences.
Staff Sergeant Duffy was born in Putnam and graduated from Putnam High School in 1949 and the following year matriculated at Marianapolis College before he entered Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass. While at both PHS and the Thompson institution he served as a special correspondent for The Patriot. He was well acquainted in the field of sports and played both football and baseball for the Blue and White.
He joined the Army as a member of the enlisted reserve while a student at Holy Cross in March of 1943 and received his basic training at Camp Croft in South Carolina. After a furlough in August of the same year he was sent overseas, where he participated in action at North Africa, Anzio beachhead, Italy and Southern France.
His last letter received by his mother was dated October 19th at which time he said that he was well and hoped that by next Christmas he would be able to enjoy the Yuletide season with his mother and friends here.
Arrangements have been completed for a Requiem Mass to be celebrated at St. Mary’s church on December 2nd at 9:00 o’clock to which all friends have been invited to attend.
Besides his mother he leaves a brother, Pvt. Robert A. Duffy, who will be graduated from the Gunnery School at Fort Myers, Fla., on Saturday. Robert graduated from PHS in 1943 and attended Holy Cross College from July to September when he entered the ASTP at Harvard University and graduated in June. He was sent to Fort Devens and received his basic training at Denver, Colo., from where he was transferred to the Gunnery School.
Putnam Patriot, January 18, 1945: Chaplain Writes Letter To Mrs. Thomas F. Duffy: A somewhat consoling letter from an Army chaplain as well as her son’s Purple Heart were received by Mrs. Thomas F. Duffy of Walnut Street recently. Staff Sergeant Thomas Duffy was killed in action in France on October 28th.
In his letter Ralph Smith, chaplain of the Third Infantry Division, said that the youth was killed instantly on the battlefield when a fragment of an enemy shell burst near him. He added that burial was in a beautifully located and well-kept cemetery and services were conducted by himself. In concluding his note to the sorrowful mother the chaplain said “Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Hometown Heroes is a series published in the Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger with this mission: We owe it to our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines to make sure that they are never forgotten, and that the memory of their service and sacrifice will forever live on in the hearts and minds of the grateful people of Putnam.
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