Dave Duart was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1934, in Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Air Force on April 23, 1954, and was commissioned a 2d Lt and awarded his pilot wings on August 1, 1955. Lt Duart next completed F-86 Sabre Combat Crew Training before serving as an F-84 Thunderjet and F-100 Super Sabre pilot with the 307th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Turner AFB, Georgia, from March 1956 to October 1958, followed by service as an F-100 pilot with the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron and on the staff of the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing at Kadena AB, Okinawa, from October 1958 to May 1961. His next assignment was as an instructor pilot and academic instructor with the 4524th Combat Crew Training Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nevada, from May 1961 to April 1964, and then as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot with the 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem AB, West Germany, from April 1964 to January 1967. Capt Duart then served as an F-105 pilot with the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from January 1967 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on February 18, 1967. After spending 2,207 days in captivity, Col Duart was released during Operation Homecoming on March 4, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, and then served as an A-7 Corsair II pilot and as Chief of the Weapons and Tactics Division with the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, from August 1973 to July 1975. Col Duart attended U.S. Army War College from July 1975 to June 1976, followed by service as Assistant Deputy Commander for Maintenance with the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill AFB, Utah, from June 1976 until his retirement from the Air Force on May 1, 1980. Dave Duart Flew West on September 10, 2003, and was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

His 1st (of 3) Silver Star Citation reads:

Captain David H. Duart distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed froce as an F-105 Pilot near Vinh, North Vietnam on 18 February 1967. On that date, while under intense and accurate fire from unfriendly forces, Captain Duart demonstrated courage, undaunted determination, and superior skill in pressing home devastating air attacks against hostile positions. Persevering in the face of danger, he relentlessly and effectively aided in neutralizing the hostile forces. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Duart has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.