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HARKER HEIGHTS, Texas — The son of a First Army Division West
battalion commander here answered a phone call accepting him into
the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Smiles were all around the Duvall
household as the call made William E. Duvall V the fourth generation
of his family to serve in the military.
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William E. Duvall V visits the U.S. Air Force Academy in
Colorado Springs, Colorado during 2013. William is the fourth
generation of Duvalls to serve in the military. (Duvall family
courtesy photo)
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William has always wanted to go to a military school. “I
have been around the military my entire life,” he said. “I
enjoy the opportunities it has provided me and my family and
I have always respected the work that my father and mother
have done in the military; it just seems right for me to do
this as well.”
William's father, Lt. Col. William E.
Duvall IV, serving as a battalion commander in DIVWEST's
479th Field Artillery Brigade, is thrilled to see his son
carrying on the military tradition. “William is an
incredible young man and the Air Force is lucky to have him.
He has worked very hard and his mother and I are so happy it
has paid off for William.”
The young Duvall declined a full scholarship to Baylor
University and a three-year scholarship to The Citadel (the
military college of South Carolina) to attend the Air Force
Academy. “It [USAFA] was so impressive to see firsthand and
I told my mom this is where I want to go,” he said.
Cadets are selected based on academic achievement,
demonstrated leadership, athletics, and character. William
graduated from Harker Heights High School as an honor
student and Eagle Scout.
He knew he would be
competitive, but with only about 10 percent of those
applying getting in, he also knew it was still a long shot.
“I worked very hard to put myself in a position to compete
academically,” he explained. “I also have to give a lot of
credit to my parents, especially my mom, who pushed me very
hard both academically and through my scouting and other
volunteer work.”
Of his plans for wanting to fly
coming out of the Air Force Academy, William simply said,
“My goal is to get through the first year healthy and with
good grades. Then we will see what options are out there;
but yes, I would love to fly.”
William did not get
much of a summer, as he reported to the Air Force Academy
during late June for Basic Cadet Training.
His
parents are enthused as well.
“We are excited for
William but it is also very difficult to watch your first
child leave home knowing that he is starting the next
chapter in his life,” Alicia Duvall said. “We are so very
proud of him though and know he will do great.”
Duvall family military service includes great-grandfather
William E. Duvall Jr., who served in the South Carolina
National Guard during World War II; grandfather William E.
Duvall III is a retired Army lieutenant colonel who served
during the Vietnam War; and father Lt. Col. William E.
Duvall IV, currently serving as commander of the commander
of the 479th's 1st Battalion, 393rd Infantry Regiment, with
tours in Iraq.
By U.S. Army Capt. David Miller
479th Field Artillery Brigade,
Division West Public Affairs
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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