1SG Jack Duncan

1SG Jack W. Duncan from S.C. was the youngest 1SG in the 502 and was known for his hair-trigger temper. Before D-day, Duncan had been in a number of brawls in England when he perceived that other Soldiers had crossed him. Before Normandy, Duncan was demoted to SSG and transferred from HQ Co, 2nd Bn, to E/502. On 18 September, 1944, D/502 was embroiled in a battle at an (possibly a rail) embankment east of Best, Holland. Ray Hood called it "hand grenade city," as both sides were lobbing grenades over the embankment and shooting when targets presented themselves.

The ground was sandy and heavy fighting raged on. The 101st troops had run out of water and were extremely thirsty. Walt Kawalek of D/502 later wrote: "Our rifles got sand in the breeches and we were forced to work the bolts by hand until we could get enough oil on them to properly function. Seemed like the hotter they got, the better they worked. Linseed oil boiled out of the stocks and burnt our hands from the terrific heat of the barrels."

Into the battle came SSG Duncan. He rushed over from his company's position, several hundred yards away, to take part in the fighting. He did not receive permission to do this, but was always eager to join the action. Somehow, Duncan captured a German Officer. As the story goes, he put a .45 government model pistol to the Officer's head and marched him up onto the embankment. As the two men became visible, firing from both sides tapered off. SSG Duncan instructed the German to shout orders to his troops to lay down their weapons and surrender. The German Officer shouted something to his men, but none of the Americans understood what. As if in reaction, all the German troops opened fire simultaneously, killing both Duncan and the enemy Officer.

The battle resumed until British armor eventually arrived, which turned the tide of battle. Some Germans withdrew, but many more were captured.