Duggins, Wilbur, CSM

Wilbur Thomas Duggins
Visitation:
Monday, April 18,2011
6:00 PM until 8:00 PM

Service:
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
10:00 AM
Coffey & Chism Funeral Home
769 Highland Ave.
Vine Grove, KY  40175

Wilbur Thomas Duggins, 75, of Lebanon Junction, KY, passed away at his home on April 15, 2011.  He is survived by his divorced spouse, Gloria Jane Duggins of Radcliff, KY; Sons Johnny Edward Duggins (Lori) of Greenville, SC and Michael Wane Duggins of Memphis, TN; Daughters Cynthia Ann Chappell and Carolyn Jane Duggins, both of Elizabethown, KY; Grandsons Timothy Chappell (Jackie), Craig Chappell, David Chappell, Blake Rouse and Weston Rouse; and, granddaughter, Anna Davenport; three great grandchildren; Peggy Walker, sister, North Little Rock, AR; several nephews and nieces in Arkansas and Arizona; and, Susan Crady, close friend and companion the last several years of his life.

He is predeceased by John Clarence Duggins, father; Lillian Nichols, mother; Charles Duggins, brother; Faye 'Sissy' Barker, sister and his stepfather, Clarence 'Gus' Nichols.

Born the son of a sharecropper in Carlisle, Arkansas, on April 17, 1935, he dropped out of high school after two years to join the U.S. Army at 14.  He had a brilliant military career, having been stationed in Ft. Kobbe, Panama Canal Zone, multiple military locations in Germany, Ft. Knox and two tours in Cu Chi, Vietnam, with the 3rd Sqaudron, 4th Cavalry.  He was one of the Army's youngest Sergeant Majors at age 30, and he was heavily decorated.  While in Vietnam, he received numerous medals including Silver and Bronze Stars and Purple Hearts for his bravery and commitement to being an outstanding soldier.  He cared deeply for his Commanding Officers and the men he was responsible for.  After 20 years of service, he retired in January, 1970, to go on to successful careers in real estate and forming his own construction company in Radcliff, KY.  He was a Radcliff City Councilman for two years, and he helped establish the Lincoln Trail Homebuilders Association, where he served as President.

Wilbur was an avid fisherman, and he owned a place on Barren River.  He oftentimes took family members with him on fishing trips, and he usually ended up catching the most fish.  Of course, he was in charge of the trolling motor, so he did tend to guide the boat into the fishing hole first with two baited hooks ready to catch the first fish, while the others toward the back of the boat were waiting to get closer to the action.  One of his best days was at Lake Conway, Arkansas, when he took his older sister and oldest son fishing.  Within two hours, the group caught over 100 Crappe.  Filleting crappe and having a fish fry was one of his life's best moments.

Wilbur will always be known as a man with very modest roots, strong values and discipline, outgoing demeanor, and being a good provider and loving father.  He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and those who served with him in the U.S. Army.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2011 from the chapel of Coffey & Chism Funeral Home, Vine Grove, KY.  Burial will follow at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetary Central, Radcliff, KY with military honors.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org.

Cav Kills 20 Enemy, Finds Ammunition, Rice And Bikes
(Tropic Lightning News  February 10, 1969)

Dau Tieng - In a week of heavy contact with the enemy elements recently, the 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry killed 20 enemy and detained two suspects.

The Cav destroyed a number of bunkers and tunnel complexes and captured over 45,000 pounds of rice plus several AK-47s, RPG launchers, assorted hand grenades and mines.  Bravo Troop also found themselves the new possessors of 17 bicycles.

The action took place west of the Saigon River, between the Ho Bo and Boi Loi Woods, about 10 miles south of Dau Tieng during an operation nicknamed Toadstool.

In one day alone, Bravo Troop destroyed 207 enemy bunkers.  Some of them had walls four feet thick and were reinforced with sandbags and steel plating.  Some womaen's clothing was found in one bunker.

During one day of heavy action which six NVA were killed, the Cav Troopers uncovered a field hospital consisting of five bunkers. 

Inside was an operating table, bottles of penicillin and bandages.  Dried blood on the ground indicated that it had been used recently.  Off to one side were bunkers apparently used as nurse's quarters.

The horsemen destroyed a command bunker with tunnels leading to fighting positions.  Nearby they located a cache containing 11,000 pounds of salt and 1200 pairs of white plastic sandals.  Several bicycles were found outside tunnels, beside rice caches and other such places.  Some of them were run over by the tanks.

And what is to be done with these bicycles now?  Command Sergeant Major Wilbur Duggins of the three-quarter Cav, plans to have them painted red and white, the colors of the Cav, and let his troopers use them when they are in from the field and want to go to the PX, the Service Club or when they are out-processing and need transportation.

After all, a cavalryman never walks.  He rides.

Santa Is A Cavalryman To Children From Bac Ha's Catholic Orphanage.
(From Vol 3 No. 52  Tropic Lightning News  December 23, 1968)

On Christmas Eve the 3d Sqaudron, 4th Cavalry, will celebrate with 100 Vietnamese children - all orphans from the Vietnam War between the ages of 4 and 6.

The men of the 3/4 Horse Squadron, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Robert S. McGowan, realize that one of the major battles in Vietnam today is acheiving mutual understanding between Americans and the Vietnamese people.

For this reason, last September, Command Sergeant Major Wilbur T. Duggins, Vine Grove, KY - the Sqaudron's top enlisted man, initiated a plan to celebrate Christmas with the local Bac Ha orphanage.  The cavalry troopers donated hundreds of dollars to the purchase of presents for these children.

This money was sent home to Duggins' wife in Vine Grove, KY., and the family of Captain Garrett Marcinkowski of Cohasset, Mass.  Through The Waiting Wives Club of Vine Grove and business associates of Marcinkowski's mother, over 100 presents were bought, wrapped and shipped to Vietnam.  In addition, much clothing and candy was sent.

On Christmas Eve the story of Christ's birth will be explained by interpreters attached to the squadron.  The Division band will fill the air with Christmas carols.

Then Santa Claus will drop out of the sky in one of the sqaudron's helecopter gunships.  Each of the hundred orphans will receive a gift from Santa Claus as well as plenty of candy, cake and ice cream.

The Christmas spirit will be alive this year even on the battlefields of Vietnam.