Duane Ray Tague

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on November 14, 2004:

Duane Ray Tague Born February 12, 1929 - Died December 7, 1996 Duane Ray Tague was born in Terra Haute, Indiana on 12 February 1929 and was appointed to West Point from the 6th Congressional District. His West Point classmates recall: "With a year and a half of Purdue engineering for a background, Ray encountered little trouble with academics. He quickly proved his worth by demonstrating his air of calm assurance to attain for himself his high rank. The only difficulty he encountered at the Academy was trying to decide from one week to the next which of his New York celebrities he was going to drag the next weekend." During his cadet days Ray was with the Camera Club cow and first class years, on the Honor Committee his last year, and was a Cadet Lieutenant his first class year. On graduation Ray went in the Armored Corps and after completing the Basic Armored Course at Fort Knox, reported to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment where he served from 1951 to 1952. His next assignment was to the 61st Tank Battalion, 9th Division where he served until 1954. He was next assigned to the Engineering Department at the United States Military Academy where he served from 1958 to 1962. From 1962 to 1963 Ray was assigned to Headquarters, I Corps in Korea and then he returned to stateside to attend the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1964. Then followed assignment to the 69th Armored until 1965 and Ray earned the Commendation Medal for distinguished service during this tour. From 1965 to 1966 Ray was assigned to Headquarters, Commander-in-Chief, Pacific and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal on completion of this tour. Next Ray was assigned to Headquarters, United States Army and as Battalion Commander with the 34th Armored of the 25th Division, Republic of Vietnam where he served from 1968 to 1969. He was decorated with the Silver Star for distinguished gallantry in action, the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services, two Bronze Star Medals for distinguished heroism against an enemy, four Air Medals for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight, and the Commendation Medal for distinguished service. On return to the States in 1969 Ray was assigned to the Staff & Faculty of The Armored School, Fort Knox, Kentucky where he served until 1973. Then from 1973 to 1976 Ray was assigned to the 4th ROTC Region and during the latter part of 1976 he served as Inspector General at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Ray's last military assignment was as Chief of Staff the Armored Center, Fort Knox, Kentucky from 1979 to 1980 when he retired from the United States Army as a Colonel. On retirement Ray was awarded a second Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. After his military retirement Ray became affiliated with the Planning Research Corporation from 1980 to 1987 and later was named a Senior Manager with the McDonnell Douglas Corporation and served as such until 1991 when he retired for a second time. Ray died on 7 December 1996 at the Arbors of Melbourne in Satellite Beach, FL. Memorial services were held on 12 December 1996 at the Trinity Presbyterian Church. Classmates in attendance were Ernie Peixotto, Bud Conti, Tom Harrold, Joe Clemons, Russ Walthour, Howie Peckham, Charlie Knapp, George Psihas, and Sam Dickens sister Cornelia Dickens. Ray is survived by his wife Betty Jo, sons Randy Tague of Indian Harbur Beach and Kyle Tague of Palm Bay; brother Darrel Tague of Louisville, KY; stepmother Louise Tague of Terre Haute; and stepsister Nancy Tague of Washington, DC. Ray's widow, Betty Jo, is now Mrs. Wallace Steiger and makes her home in Tucson, Arizona. The Patton Museum has advised Betty Jo that they have received a generous donation from an anonymous donor in Ray's honor and in acknowledging this donation will place a brass plate on a plaque in the Patton Museum with the following inscription: "Colonel Duane R. Tague, USA\Armor - A Patriot that served his country well." 'Well Done, Ray' - USMA '51." jac; 18199, wc 667 (10/11/2000)

admin