On May 27, 1973, I earned my nickname. I was XO of a Firing Battery of the Illinois Army National Guard. We were firing at Camp McCoy, WI and the guys were dragging. I had heard the day before that Saturday was the Duke's birthday and casually mentioned to my battery recorder that the men should perk up because it was John Wayne's birthday. He grabbed the telephone and repeated that to all of the guns. From that day on, I was called "The Duke".
God Bless You, John Wayne!