Lyman Chandler “Chan” Duryea Jr. was born in Honolulu, HI, to Dr. Lyman C. Duryea and Myrtle H. (Ryder) Duryea, both originally from Massachusetts. Shortly after Chan’s birth, the family moved to New York City, where Chan’s father worked for the Department of Health. In 1941, he joined the Army. The family remained in NYC during World War II, followed by tours in Colorado at Fitzsimons Army Hospital; in Fukuoka, Japan; and at Fort Riley, KS. As an Army brat, Chan always intended to make a career of the military. At Fort Riley, he attended Junction City High School for three years then spent his senior year at Kemper Military School in Boonville, MO. In addition to the Naval ROTC program at Dartmouth College, Chan applied to and was accepted into West Point. His father’s preference for West Point was a major factor in Chan’s choice.
Chan’s time at West Point was challenging. Stubborn and fiercely independent, Chan struggled within the strict confines of cadet life. There were not enough hours in the day for him as he tried to truly understand his subject materials instead of using rote memory alone to pass tests. As a result, he often had to take more difficult turnout exams. Chan was especially grateful to his G-1 companymate Mike Lane, who coached him through the intricacies of yearling math. Classmates remember Chan as an ardent believer in the Cadet Honor Code who often checked with the cadet company honor representative to ensure that he followed it in both spirit and action.
Upon graduation in 1960, Chan was commissioned in the Infantry. After completing the basic course, as well as Airborne and Ranger schools, he was stationed in Germany. He returned to Fort Benning, GA in 1964 and completed an assignment with the Infantry Board as a small arms test officer. Here, Chan met and married Gisela E. (Franz) Collins. Though his marriage later ended, they had three successful children: Robert, Gwynne, and Dominique.
In March 1966, Chan took command of Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division during hard fighting in Vietnam. His service as commander earned him awards, including the Silver Star and two Bronze Stars. Chan’s company medic and friend, Charles “Doc” Kinney (SFC, USA Retired), published an account of several incidents at Bong Song II where Captain Duryea’s courage, competence, and insistence upon the ethical treatment of captured North Vietnamese soldiers and the protection of innocent civilians earned him the respect and deep gratitude of those who served with him. Throughout his lifetime, Chan continued to speak out in support of American values and the ethical treatment of detainees on the battlefield.
Chan considered his first Vietnam tour as the most rewarding duty of his career. He often downplayed his own actions and expressed deep pride in the heroism and sacrifices of his fellow countrymen, saying, “The most important people and the real heroes were and are always the young soldiers whose courage, character and audacity are what make ours the finest Army in the world.”
In 1967, Chan returned to Fort Benning for the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, a brief period with the Infantry Board, and Vietnamese language training. Chan returned to Vietnam in 1968 as an adviser in the Delta. This tour earned him another Bronze Star.
Following Vietnam, Chan’s career spanned the globe: in the Congo as a member of the U.S. military mission; Fort Riley, KS as the S-3 to the 1st Battalion, 63d Armor, 1st Infantry Division; Fort Leavenworth, KS to complete the CGSC; Paris, France to complete a Master of Modern Languages at the Sorbonne; West Point as instructor of French; Fort Gulick, Panama as instructor, department director and director of instruction at the School of the Americas; and as Defense and Army attaché in Haiti and then El Salvador, which was confronting a very violent insurgency. Chan’s last post prior to his retirement in 1989 was at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA, as professor, military history and strategy. Here, he began his Ph.D. studies in military history at Temple University.
Upon retirement, Chan settled in a log cabin he built on Rough River Lake in Kentucky, where he completed his Ph.D. in 1993. Chan lived his retirement years to the fullest. His love for family and friends, the outdoors, learning, and the military kept him busy. His calendar was filled with skiing, scuba diving (he was a certified instructor), hiking, backpacking, and kayaking trips, usually accompanied by his loving companion of 28 years, Patricia (Patti) Webster. Chan was always ready for new adventures and eager to enlist others to join him. As a lifelong student, he was constantly reading and studying. Chan was a translator, editor and writer. He co-authored the book Misfire: The Tragic Failure of the M16 in Vietnam, published shortly after his death. He served as president and member of the Board of Governors of the 1st Cavalry Division Association and was an active participant in annual gatherings. He also enjoyed attending reunions of his West Point and Vietnam companies.
Chan is survived by Patti; Gisela and their children: Robert Duryea, Gwynne Butcher (married to a 1983 USMA grad) and Dominique Rattner; 12 grandchildren (including a 2016 USMA grad); five great-grandchildren; Patti’s children: Angela, Allison and John; and Patti’s five grandchildren.
Chan will be remembered for his positive, encouraging disposition; his love for life’s adventures, big or small; his humility; his compassion; and his steadfast belief that anyone could succeed if they worked hard enough.
Well Done, Chan; Be Thou at Peace.
— Family and Friends