Honoring Service: Veteran James Dianni, Vietnam

Our reporting on local veterans is a collaboration with RyeVets.org to highlight those from Rye who have served our country across times of war and peace. There are over 2,100 veterans from the City of Rye. Learn more about how you can help research and write biographies of those that have served.

James “Duke” Dianni was born on March 12, 1950. He lived with his family at 9 Grapal Street and graduated from Rye High School in 1968. During the Vietnam War, Duke served with the U.S. Army.

Date of Birth: 12 Mar 1950
Street Address: 9 Grapal Street
Service Number: unknown
Branch of Service: U.S. Army

James Dianni was born on March 12, 1950 to James W. and Anne Farrell Dianni. He had an older brother Jack and a sister Mary Anne. In Rye, the family lived at 9 Grapal Street and were parishioners of the Church of the Resurrection.

Growing up, Duke attended Resurrection School and was a graduate of Rye High School alongside the class of 1968. At Rye High School, Duke played basketball and football and was a member of the Varsity Club.

During the Vietnam War, Duke served with the U.S. Army, and by 1968 the division was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, as a mechanized formation. 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division was dispatched to South Vietnam after the Tet Offensive to replace a U.S. Marine Corps unit. The brigade served there from July 1968 until 1971 defending the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone in northern Quảng Trị Province.

After his honorable discharge, Duke returned home to Rye. In 1973, he began a community service career with the Rye Fire Department. He spent much of his time teaching Rye students the importance of fire safety. After 30 years, he retired as Chief Fire Inspector.

In 1979, on June 9, Duke married Deborah Lynn Hagele at The Manhattanville College Chapel, and following their wedding trip to Paradise Island in the Bahamas, the couple lived in Rye. Debbie and Duke had three daughters and the family resided on York Avenue in Rye. An avid sports fan, Duke for many years was the “Voice of the Garnets”, announcing home football games.

He has missed only one Rye-Harrison game since the 1950s. While stationed in Vietnam he used his one phone call to call home on the second Saturday of November in 1970, to find out the score of “The Game”.

Duke is a walking encyclopedia of the history of Rye. With his wealth of knowledge, Duke continues to be a leading resource for this veteran project. As a veteran and veteran advocate, Duke attended a Veterans Day service at Resurrection Church in November 2022. Approximately 300 Resurrection students participated – Duke was right in the middle of the flag-waving ceremony. More on Dianni.

Also read Rye Lifer: Jim Dianni.