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First Name: Otis

Last Name: Duncan

Birthplace:

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Middle Name: Beverly



Date of Birth: 18 November 1873

Date of Death: 17 May 1937

Rank: Lieutenant Colonel

Years Served:
Otis Beverly Duncan

   
Engagements:
•  World War I (1914 - 1918)
•  Mexican Expedition (1916 - 1917)

Biography:

Otis Beverly Duncan
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army

Otis Beverly Duncan was born on 18 November 1873.

As a Major in the 8th Illinois Infantry, he saw service in 1916 along the Mexican border. After his Regiment was mustered into Federal service in August 1917 as the 370th Regiment of U.S. Infantry, he accompanied it to France as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Two other colonels, one black and the other white, preceded him in command. However, it was Duncan who commanded the heavily-decorated Regiment during the latter part of their time in France. He was the highest-ranking African-American officer in the U.S. Army at the end of World War I, having attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

For his bravery and tenacity on the battlefield, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star by the French Government.

Death and Burial

Lieutenant Colonel Otis Beverly Duncan died on 17 May 1937. He is buried at the Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, IL.



Honoree ID: 2443   Created by: MHOH

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