Robert P. Dukek was born August 17, 1945 in the U.S. Naval Hospital, Norfolk, VA to Lester and Freda Beaver Dukek. He attended schools in Denver, Colorado and Bagley and graduated from Bagley High School in 1963.

Robert enlisted in the Navy on December 17, 1963 and was sent to San Diego NTC for boot camp. He then attended engineman training (diesel) in Great Lakes, Illinois. Here he learned the mechanics of diesel engines, refrigeration plants and compressors. Robert was then sent to  amphibious training school at Mare Island, Coronado, California. He also received language training in Vietnamese beginning in April, 1966.

Robert was sent to Vietnam as a boat engineer, gunner and boat captain. He served on PBR24. He was captain of the river patrol from May 1966 to May 1967, serving in the Mekong Delta.  He conducted combat patrols, boarding and searching junks and sampans, intercepting Viet Cong cross river traffic, and inserting, covering, and extracting Navy Seals.

Robert received a Letter of Commendation in September of 1966 stating that he had distinguished himself in preventing Viet Cong sampams from crossing the Srepok River and capturing enemy personnel and equipment. He also received the Navy Commendation Medal with the Combat “V” award for conducting inspections of nearly 2000 junks and sampans on more than 200 patrols. He participated in numerous combat actions against the enemy and repeatedly exposed himself to enemy gunfire. Robert received the Presidential Unit Citation (combat), and the Good Conduct Medal. Robert received an honorable discharge on December 18, 1969. 

Robert passed away on April 17, 2018 and is buried in Bagley City Cemetery.

Plot: 3   Side:  North       Row from Bottom: 3

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