Major Shirley N. Duer was born on January 1, 1904, to parents Elizabeth and Frederic Duer. He grew up on Shelby Street in New Albany, Indiana, with his two brothers, Kenneth (born in 1905) and Billy (born in 1898). Shirley Duer's father was a train dispatcher for the railroad. In 1927, when Duer was 23, his father died.
He graduated from New Albany High School in 1922. While high school Duer was nicknamed "Shady" by his classmates. He played football, and we believe he played quarterback his senior year. He was also active in the Boosters, which was an organization that raised school spirit and supported the athletic teams.
After high school he went to the University of Cincinnati and graduated in 1929. After graduation, he became an assistant engineer of New Albany. Part of his duties as city engineer was to supervise Works Progress Administration employees. They would have been doing such projects as installing water or sewage lines, building flood walls, or improving city streets. In 1933, he married his wife Katherine. On May 22, 1937, their daughter Anna Kay Duer was born. Duer was an excellent pianist, and he had committed many songs to memory.
He graduated from New Albany High School in 1922. While high school Duer was nicknamed "Shady" by his classmates. He played football, and we believe he played quarterback his senior year. He was also active in the Boosters, which was an organization that raised school spirit and supported the athletic teams.
After high school he went to the University of Cincinnati and graduated in 1929. After graduation, he became an assistant engineer of New Albany. Part of his duties as city engineer was to supervise Works Progress Administration employees. They would have been doing such projects as installing water or sewage lines, building flood walls, or improving city streets. In 1933, he married his wife Katherine. On May 22, 1937, their daughter Anna Kay Duer was born. Duer was an excellent pianist, and he had committed many songs to memory.
Even though he was older and taller than most soldiers, Duer left to serve in WWII as a 1st Lieutenant in January of 1941. He was sent overseas in December of 1943. While he was away, Duer sent many letters home to both his wife and his daughter. On his daughter's letters, he would draw cartoons and picture puzzles. He was also promoted to a major. As a major, his responsibilities included leading smaller groups of men and performing logistical duties with his brigade or regiment.
Our Translation:
Dear Kay,
I drank two cokes today and smoked 16 cigarettes and threw the package on the floor. The orderly picked it up and put it in the trash. A tisket, a tasket, green and yellow basket.
Dear Kay,
I drank two cokes today and smoked 16 cigarettes and threw the package on the floor. The orderly picked it up and put it in the trash. A tisket, a tasket, green and yellow basket.
In 1945, Shirley Duer died in Luzon while defending his country at age 41. He was known to have a warm personality and was well liked by everyone who knew him. Almost everyone in the town came to his funeral. After his death, his wife decided not to remarry.
This information was provided by Anna Kay Duer and Ancestry.com