BOLOGNA, Italy — Franklin James Dukes was a local husband and father who joined the Army a year after his wedding and sacrificed his life during the Fifth Army’s assault outside of Bologna, Italy in April 1945. He was born Nov. 8, 1919 at Marsteller, Cambria County, to English immigrants James Fullard and Sarah Ann Birchall Dukes. His mother and father entered the United States in 1887 and 1888, respectively, and became naturalized American citizens. Dukes was the youngest of the couple’s seven children: Anna, Arthur, Lawrence, Edna, Florence Mae and Mary Elizabeth. Dukes’ father supported the family as a coal miner until his death in 1932. Dukes’ mother then managed a boarding house in her home to make ends meet.

The Dukes family relocated from Cambria County to Granville Township, Mifflin County by 1930. Dukes attended school through the eighth grade. By 1940, he was living with his married sister Edna, her husband, and their children in Lewistown. Dukes registered for the draft in Lykens, Pennsylvania on July 1, 1941. He exchanged marriage vows with Margaret Edna “Peg” Kyler of Shingletown on Aug. 8, 1942 in State College. They welcomed the birth of a daughter named Margaret Edna.

Dukes enlisted in the Army on July 23, 1943 in Altoona, and entered active duty on Aug. 6, 1943. He was assigned to the 361st Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division which was activated at Camp White, Oregon the previous August. Beginning Sept. 3, 1943, the division engaged in maneuvers in central Oregon, relocated to Camp Adair, Oregon on Nov. 4, 1943, and arrived at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia on April 3, 1944 to await deployment overseas. Dukes and the 361st regiment immediately embarked for Italy. Their destination changed to Oran, Algeria where they arrived on April 18, 1944.

By May 1944, the 361st regiment was engaged in the campaign to liberate Italy from the Nazis. On April 15 and 16, 1945, American heavy bombers, medium bombers and fighter-bombers hit bridges over the Reno River, enemy artillery and major highways near Monte Adone, the gateway to Bologna. On April 16, the 91st Infantry Division fired nearly 2 million pounds of artillery ammunition to prepare the 361st regiment’s assault on the enemy’s outpost at Monte Adone. After a bitter 60-hour battle, American Fifth Army troops cracked the outer defenses of Bologna, seized the key heights of Monte Adone and Monte Rumici, and drove to within eight miles of the great Italian industrial city.

Dukes was killed in action by enemy artillery fire on April 16, 1945 during the assault on Monte Adone. His remains were recovered and were laid to rest at Florence American Cemetery and Memorial, Florence, Italy. Dukes posthumously received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

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Stories Behind the Stars memorials are accessible for free on the internet and via smart phone app at gravesites and cenotaphs. The non-profit organization is dedicated to honoring all 421,000 fallen Americans from World War II, including 31,000 from Pennsylvania. To volunteer or for more information, contact Kathy Harmon at kharmon@storiesbehindthestars.org or visit www.storiesbehindthestars.org.