He amassed a decorated military career, which culminated in a highly-esteemed commendation medal bestowed upon him.

He was also an educator, as well as an ardent supporter of his faith.

But, his greatest honor was to be called “an American Soldier.”

The Palmerton community is grieving following the loss of Col. George H. Duell Jr., USA, Ret., who passed away Monday in his home with his beloved family by his side. He was 87.

Duell was the husband of Margaret “Peggy” (Kirk) Duell. They were married 63 years last June.

Peers reflect

Ed Moyer, Commander, Palmerton American Legion Post 269, said Duell played a pivotal role in his life.

“George has been like my mentor ever since I got into the Legion in Palmerton,” Moyer said. “Any time I needed anything, find out about a military veteran, military procedure, George was always the go-to guy.”

“He was very knowledgeable about military information,” he said. “He was very faithful to our Legion, very faithful to our honor guard, very faithful to all of our veterans, very faithful to the community.”

Duell was also a longtime member of Sacred Hearth Roman Catholic Church, Palmerton.

Bill Gallagher, a fellow veteran and congregation member of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, said Duell was “very distinguished,” and a “true gentleman.”

Gallagher, a member of the Palmerton United Veterans Organization, added that despite having a whole chest full of medals, Duell didn’t seek out any attention.

“Although he had all kinds of military accolades, he just wanted to be called an American Soldier,” Gallagher said. “He didn’t want any praise for anything.”

Gallagher noted that Duell and his wife, Peggy, were very active with their church.

“He went to church every Sunday, he did the collection, ushered,” he said. “You’re not going to get a better man than George.”

Gallagher also mentioned that while Duell was principal at Palmerton Area High School, “he was well liked there by a lot of students.”

“I was proud to know him,” he said. “I just liked the man immensely.”

Background

Duell started his educational career in 1960 at Southern Lehigh and retired in 1993 as principal of Palmerton Area High School.

He concurrently served his country honorably in a storied career in the U.S. Army, retiring at the rank of Colonel.

As U.S. Army Reserve Ambassador, Duell in 2018 received the Public Service Commendation Medal from Maj. Gen. Troy D. Kok, commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 99th Readiness Division, during a ceremony on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurt, New Jersey.

The Public Service Commendation Medal is the fourth highest public service decoration the United States Department of the Army can bestow upon a civilian, ranking directly below the Meritorious Public Service Medal.

The Army Reserve Ambassador Program was established in 1998 to promote awareness of the Army Reserve, its goals and objectives, and to serve as a vital bridge in our states/communities to further educate and garner support for the Army Reserve. Ambassadors are a powerful means of message delivery to the American people.

In addition to his wife, Peggy, he is survived by daughters Suzanne Duell and husband Brian O’Connor, Elizabeth and husband Roger Savoia, and Anne Silfies, as well as several grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, 243 Lafayette Ave., Palmerton. A Celebration of Life luncheon in the church social hall will immediately follow mass.

Contributions may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, New York, 10306; Sacred Heart RC Church, Palmerton, charity of choice.

See page 4 for full obituary.