Ishar Dass Duke

Submitted by: Tanveer Kalo

Ishar Dass Duke born around 1887, Ishar Duke served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1918.

Story of Service

 

Ishar Dass Duke was born in August 1887 in Daulatpur, British East India. He immigrated to the United States on May 1 1907.

After his arrival, Duke moved to the West Coast.

On June 5, 1917, Ishar registered for the draft. His draft card recored his race as Caucasian and he did not know his age. On October 2, 1917, Duke entered the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 166 Depot Brigade at Camp Lewis, Washington State. He was a cook in the unit.

On December 17, 1917, Duke filed a declaration for U.S. naturalization in Pierce, Washington. His declaration also recorded his race as white.

He was shown in the August 1918 issue of the journal and newspaper Young India along with M.K. Pandit, Devi Singh, Dr. K.C. Kerwell, and others.

He was discharged from service on December 4, 1918 and went to Montana. Ishar filed a petition for U.S. naturalization on January 20, 1919 in Gallatin, Montana.

In 1925, he went to Settle, Washington and worked as cook. He returned to Montana in 1926 or 1927.

On May 23, 1927, Duke made a will and stated that his assets and savings would go his friends and family in Daulatpur.

Between 1927 and 1930, Ishar Dass Duke most likely returned to India to visit his family India. He turned to the U.S. on May 17, 1930 via Victoria, British Columbia, Canada from either Hong Kong or Manila, Philippines.

On June 3, 1935, Ishar Dass Duke died in Cascade, Montana. He is buried at the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Great Falls, Montana with a Christian emblem.