More detail on this person: LIEUTENANT
COLONEL (USAF-RETIRED) KENNETH J.
DUCKWORTH
Patriot, Defender, Father, and Friend
Born November 3, 1940 in Philadelphia to Stanley
and Regina Duckworth. He attended Saint Joseph's
Preparatory before graduating from the Naval
Academy in 1962 and earning a commission into
the Air Force, where he served 28 years of
combined active and reserve duty.
Lieutenant Colonel Duckworth piloted B-47 nuclear
bombers, C-130 transports, and the CH-3 "Jolly
Green Giant" helicopter. From 1967 to 1968 he flew
search and rescue and other operations in Vietnam
to support U.S. Marines at Khe Sanh and interdict
the Ho Chi Minh Trail. He is credited with
rescuing many downed pilots and earned the
Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in flight,
and two Air Medals.
From 1971 to 1990 he served with the 301st Air
Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Homestead Air
Force Base. There he trained water survival and
participated in numerous search and rescue
operations, to include the crash of Eastern Air
Lines Flight 401 in 1972, retrieving the ill from
cruise ships, and supporting space shuttle
launches.
A staunch advocate of the Bill of Rights and
helping the downtrodden, Ken graduated with a
Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami Law
school in 1972. He specialized in criminal law in
both Dade and Broward County for over 25 years.
He provided free legal assistance to Hurricane
Andrew victims, and provided legal defense in the
highly reported 1993 Bobby Kent murder trial.
In his later years, Ken found joy as a Broward
County Schools substitute teacher. He especially
enjoyed helping middle school special needs
children. He was still enjoying this calling when
he passed in an auto accident on Flag Day, 14
June.
Throughout life, Mr. Duckworth thoroughly enjoyed
sports of all types. He rowed, ran marathons, and
coached. His particular passions remained the
Phillies and the Army-Navy football game. He
approached life with great humor, optimism, and
compassion.
Kenneth J. Duckworth is preceded in death by his
parents. He is survived by his wife, Joan, of 45
years, his children Kenneth Christopher, Rebecca,
and Eric as well as four grandchildren. He is also
survived by sisters, Jane Becker and Denise
Tumelty of Philadelphia.
Services will be Tuesday, June 22 at Fred
Hunter's, 2401 South University Drive, Davie.
Visitation begins at 4pm with memorial service at
5:30 pm. A memorial mass will be held
Wednesday, at St. Mark's Catholic Church, 5601
South Flamingo Road at 10am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial
tribute to the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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