Duit, Robert, MSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
While I was in Jr High, at Deady Jr. High in Houston, started a Houston Press Route, not much money. So I decided to take on the Houston Chronicle and the Houston Post as well. Although I had morning, noon, evening, and Sunday deliveries were only making about $100.00 a month. Went to work at a service station, part time, fixing flats, pumping gas and cleaning windshields. Graduated at eighteen years old, Mother remarried, worked for step-dad for two years and not getting along well. Decided best for me to go on my own and not cause troubles with family, the Air Force seemed like the best service to join to me.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
Initially, because of entrance exams, electronics being my high score, I thought electronics it was, then I saw a Para-resue recruit film and said that's for me so I went to Para-rescue training for twelve months.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
While in Para-rescue we would receive an Air Medal for every ten combat missions flown, I have eleven Air Medals and that means one hundred and ten combat sorties in two years. I also received the Silver Star, third highest medal in the USAF, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, fifth highest medal in the USAF and the Purple Heart. All ribbons and medals earned are precious to me and I proudly wear them when appropriate to show my honor. Out of the hundred and ten (110) Combat sorties flown I actually had the privilege of participating in six (6) missions which resulted in the saving of seven (7) lives. Because of these saves, I am very proud that I was in Para rescue. Their names is as follows: Leer Maples, Darrell Richardson, Henry L Burnett, Edward G. Redden, Dennis W. Winkels, Richard D. Anderson, Maxie L. Hilgoss, Jr., Charles N. Magsin, Larry L. Davis, and Auvern A. Ernst. All of them were greatly appreciative.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
I think of all locations in the service where I have stationed Thailand where I met my wife, Pat, of forty-one years and Lajes Field, Azores, where we made many new lifetime friends and began our family.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
My first seven years were in Para-rescue. That was the best part of my military career. At that time there was only 330 of us in the world and that is an elite group if I ever heard of one. Had a motto, "Gotta love it to be one and have to be one to love it". The official motto "These Things We Do, That Others May Live".

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
Yes, the Silver Star was for extraordinary heroism and valor by order of the President of the United States. Receive an extra 10% on my Air Force retirement.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
All ribbons and medals earned are precious to me and I proudly wear them when appropriate to show my honor.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
I'll always remember all the PJ's I trained and served with, friends in the AF, Army, Navy, and Marines, however, Kerry (KO) Kelly probably made the biggest impression on me. Just Good Old People, always there when you need him and ready to help in any way possible.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
When my mother remarried and I had to change my name because of an adoption. The AF had problems understanding, ended up with two mail boxes, two sets of orders to go PCS and they wouldn't give Duits' wife any of Harris' money. All my orders read Duit/Harris and I got the nickname "SLASH'. Funny now that it's over.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
Retired from AF in June 1987 and went to work the City of Altus for eleven years, decided to go for more money and went Civil Service for ten years. Am presently retired from all jobs, traveling and enjoying life as much as possible.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am a lifetime member of the VFW and a member of the Para-rescue Association. Just joined the American Legion and the Thailand/Laos/Cambodia Brotherhood. Am planning on joining the DAV this month.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
Taught me hard work, dedication and loyalty will pay off in the long run.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
My son is an MSgt in the Air Force and I tell him and all military, keep on learning, never stop trying and enjoy everything you can, along with life's highway because it will make you forever happy.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

TWS and The USAF

Gathering items needed for Shadow Box and remembering things from the past that have been forgotten brings back the GOOD Memories and times one has had along the way.

DS 7/19/17