P.O. Steven Duque
P.O. Steven Duque Died while on duty. I dont have much information as of now. I do know he suffered an air embolism while diving after a USCG cutter became stranded in ice. I am a freind of his back home in Mia, FL. If any one has any photos of Steven Please e-mail them to me A.S.A.P. We are trying to compile photos to put together a slide show for his memorial service. The Memorial service does not have a date yet. Thank You
08/18/06 Submitted by: R. Delafe
BM2 Steven Duque
BM2 Duque will be dearly missed. I knew him for only a year, but within a very short time, knew this young lad had a lot of maturity, a great positive CAN DO attitude, and one of the best work ethics I've seen from a junior member. He was very personable, and very outgoing. He was respected by many, and by all who knew him. He came to Station Fort Lauderdale as a SN and struck BM and made BM3 in October 2004. He came to crossroad with what he wanted to do in his life and I was able to guide this future leader in the Coast Guard to stay in and helped him get his number one pick on his dream sheet for his next unit. All he wanted to do was to become a diver and advance through the ranks. This he did by making BM2 within 14 months of making BM3 and a month later started to fulfill his dream by going to Dive School in January of 2006, and graduating March 01. A picture of him was featured in an article in the Coast Guard Magazine in May 2006, with him as the coxswain on the Healy's RHIB with the Healy in the background during his first patrol.
His life was cut short at the age of 26 while in the performance of his duties. On August 17th, 2006, he and LT Hill on the CGC Healy were involved in a diving accident. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers, while also remembering the family of LT Hill that also lost her life at the young age of 30. This is a tragic day for the Coast Guard but both will always be remembered. May God rest your soul in peace. You've touched the hearts of many.
08/21/06 Submitted by: BMC Gene Daigle
