SGT Justin J. Duffy, 31, of Cozad, Nebraska, formerly of Moline, was killed in action June 2, 2009, in Iraq. Justin was born June 14, 1977, in Moline, the son of Joseph and Janet Hood Duffy.
A mass of Christian burial was held Friday, June 12, 2009, at Sacred Heart Church, Moline. Visitation was held at Rafferty Funeral Home in Moline. A memorial service was held July 12, 2009, in Cozad, with burial at National Cemetery, Rock Island, complete with military honors conducted by the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division. Memorials were designated to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
Justin was born June 14, 1977, in Moline, the son of Joseph and Janet Hood Duffy.
Justin was serving with the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Divison stationed in Iraq. Justin's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge.
Justin enjoyed music, computers and movies.
Survivors include his parents, Joseph and Janet Duffy of Cozad; sisters, Jennifer Duffy of Grand Island, Nebraska, and Jacqulyn Duffy of Yuma, Arizona; nephews Rafe, Loudyn and Jack; stepson Mason; grandfather Leroy "Lee" Hood of Moline; several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by a grandmother, Eva "Jean" Hood, paternal grandparents and an uncle, Brian.
Tributes
Leave a tributeSending you our love on this 7th anniversary past.
in our hearts always. I can see your beautiiful mischievous smile and Irish twinkling eyes and remember your warmth @ kindness as well as your wonderful fun loving sense of humor! Your are our hero! You have our hearts!
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Justin's infamous hunting day
When Justin was in 9th grade he, his dad, Bob Coenen & his son and Tim Wolf went pheasant hunting one Sat morning. After hunting two fields uneventfully they went to a field owned by Tim's friend. The was a large area of tall grass that they surrounded - forming a horseshoe (hint). Well, the pheasant flew and the shots rang out and then Justin yelled - "hold up, I've been hit - been shot". They all rushed to find Justin and he indeed had several pellets imbedded in his forehead and just over his right eye. Joe and Justin treaked back to the truck - Joe carrying both guns and laboring heavily. When they arrived back at the truck they found a farmer had blocked them in with his tractor and was none too happy that they were in "his" field and shooting when he had his cattle out feeding.
Justin ended up at the doctors office to have the pellets removed and a stich or two added to his forehead. Joe ended up finding out that he had a 90% blockage in an artery of his heart (from the laboring back to the truck and the cold air hurting his lungs). We still don't know if Bob Coenen or Joe were responsible for "shooting" Justin, but it kind of points to Joe.