World War I United States Army Chaplain. Ordained in 1896 he attended the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., then was appointed professor of psychology and ethics at the St. Joseph's Seminary in New York. Father Duffy served briefly as an Army chaplain during the Spanish-American War, where he was stationed at Montauk Point, Long Island. In 1914 he was appointed chaplain of the 69th Infantry Regiment of the New York National Guard, the Famous "Fighting 69th" which served with the Army Of The Potomic during the Civil War. It was called up briefly during the Spanish-American War, and also in 1916, when it served during the Mexican border conflict. When the United States entered World War I, the regiment was renamed the 165th Infantry, where it became part of the 42nd or Rainbow Division, which was comprised of National Guard Units. Major Chaplain Duffy, senior chaplain of the 42nd Division, went along with the 42nd to Europe where it saw action in some of the bloodiest battles of the war, including Lorraine, Champagne, Chamapgne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel Meuse-Argonne. Always near the heaviest fighting, exposing himself to constant danger as he moved from unit to unit, he earned the Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Service Medal among others. His character was played by Pat O'Brien in the 1940 Warner Brothers Movie, "The Fighting 69th". A triangle between 46th and 47th Streets, Broadway and Seventh Avenue in Times Square in Manhattan, New York City, New York was named "Father Duffy Square" and a monument to Father Duffy was erected there in his honor.
World War I United States Army Chaplain. Ordained in 1896 he attended the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., then was appointed professor of psychology and ethics at the St. Joseph's Seminary in New York. Father Duffy served briefly as an Army chaplain during the Spanish-American War, where he was stationed at Montauk Point, Long Island. In 1914 he was appointed chaplain of the 69th Infantry Regiment of the New York National Guard, the Famous "Fighting 69th" which served with the Army Of The Potomic during the Civil War. It was called up briefly during the Spanish-American War, and also in 1916, when it served during the Mexican border conflict. When the United States entered World War I, the regiment was renamed the 165th Infantry, where it became part of the 42nd or Rainbow Division, which was comprised of National Guard Units. Major Chaplain Duffy, senior chaplain of the 42nd Division, went along with the 42nd to Europe where it saw action in some of the bloodiest battles of the war, including Lorraine, Champagne, Chamapgne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel Meuse-Argonne. Always near the heaviest fighting, exposing himself to constant danger as he moved from unit to unit, he earned the Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Service Medal among others. His character was played by Pat O'Brien in the 1940 Warner Brothers Movie, "The Fighting 69th". A triangle between 46th and 47th Streets, Broadway and Seventh Avenue in Times Square in Manhattan, New York City, New York was named "Father Duffy Square" and a monument to Father Duffy was erected there in his honor.
Bio by: Frank Russo
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