Benny Duff was born on August 24, 1943, in Roanoke, Virginia. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on May 24, 1965, as part of the 304th Military Police Company in Bluefield, West Virginia. He went on active duty for training on August 22, 1965, and completed basic combat training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, in November 1965. Pvt Duff then attended Advanced Individual Training as a Military Policeman at Fort Knox in November and December 1965, and left active duty on December 31, 1965. He then served as a Military Policeman and Squad Leader with the 304th Military Police Company at Bluefield, West Virginia, from January 1966 to May 1969, followed by service as a Company Clerk with Company C, 4th Battalion of the 8830th Military Police Training Center at Rockville, Maryland, and then at Fort Gordon, Georgia, from May 1969 to February 1970. Staff Sergeant Duff's final assignment was as a Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant with Company C of the 317th Military Police Battalion at Clearwater, Florida, from February 1970 until he received an honorable discharge from the Army Reserve on June 4, 1971.

Soldier's Creed:

I am an American Soldier.

I am a warrior and a member of a team.

I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.

I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.

I am an expert and I am a professional.

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.

I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

I am an American Soldier.