Obituary of Duke L. Martini

Duke L. Martini took his final flight at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington on April 1, 2024. He was born on February 15, 1948, to Ira and Miriam Cow in Tucson, Arizona.

After graduating from Rainier Beach High School in Renton, Washington, Duke enlisted in the United States Army, graduated flight school, then went on to serve in the Vietnam War from 1969 to1970 with D-Troop 1-10 CAV. Known by his fellow troop members as "Shamrock 16," he was a helicopter pilot who flew various types of helicopters, including the OH-6 and the Huey.

Upon returning from the war, he enlisted in the Washington Army National Guard (WAARNG) and served as an instructor helicopter pilot as well as a pilot on the C-12 and C-23 aircrafts.

Duke had a valiant and distinguished career as a civil servant of the United States of America, with over 37 years of meritorious service to the United States Army and Washington Army National Guard and was a decorated war veteran who received various military honors, including the National Defense Service Medal, Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal and the Bronze Star. He was also a lifelong member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilot Association.

Duke was a loving husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Aena Martini; daughter, Dana Martini; brother, Patrick Martini; and sister, Peggy Wiltse.

He was a kind, loving and generous man who was always willing to lend a helping hand. He had a keen sense of humor when he didn't have his nose stuck in some book!

Duke will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

A funeral service with full military honors will be held Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240^th St., Kent, WA 98042.

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