THOMAS JACKSON DUVAL

Lt. Cmdr. (RET, US NAVY) Thomas Jackson Duval passed on February 4, 2013 in Winchester, VA. Born in 1927 in Anaheim, CA, he was preceded in death by his wife, Lois C. Duval, son Thomas H. Duval, brothers Robert, James, and William, and parents Joseph Patrick Duval and Margaret Frances Duval.

Duval had a long, varied, and distinguished career in the U.S. military, in the Intelligence Community, and in the Formula One racing realm.

His naval career saw him serve many years as an intelligence plans and coordination officer, and he was an acknowledged expert on counterintelligence operations and HUMINT collection systems. He joined the Navy as an enlisted man near the end of World War II. He escaped early demobilization because he had taken law enforcement correspondence courses, which led to his assignment in the office of the Provost Marshall in Yokosuka in 1946. There followed a long and successful career.

From the mid-60s through mid-70s, he was Officer-In-Charge of the special Navy collection program Task Force One Five Seven (TF-157) for which he developed initial documentation and authorities for the establishment of the program, as well as managing the civilian personnel program and special operations.  TF-157’s mission was to keep tabs on Soviet shipping and naval capabilities.  Other missions included assessing Soviet armaments for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) and helping to recover downed U.S. and Soviet aircraft. TF-157 also provided secure communications for National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger when he made his first visit to China.

Duval served in three wars, and was the recipient of the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, China Service Medal, Nation Defense Medal (1^st & 2^nd Medal), Korean Service Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal.

Subsequent to retirement he developed a worldwide sales and business development organization that provided analytical and consultant services to U.S. government agencies, as well as establishing foreign markets and business relationships. He was also a senior analyst at a firm that developed and directed a consultant team that formulated a highly sensitive long-range strategic collection program for the U.S. Department of Defense.

His racing career was equally impressive. As executive director of Sports Car Club of America in the mid-70s to mid-80s, he managed the professional staff and directed the entire club’s activities, both amateur and professional racing, nationwide. He also served as the U.S. Delegate to the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body of motorsport worldwide based in Paris, France.

Duval was instrumental in bringing a Formula One Grand Prix to Las Vegas at Caesars Palace 1981-82. Tying his love of motor sport with his Naval service, he was the liaison between Newman Haas Racing’s promotion operations and the US Military, which resulted in him facilitating many pre-race activities such as flyovers in Milwaukee (1992-2003) and Houston (1998-2001). He also arranged a flyover at the Indy 500 in 2010.

He is survived by his son Bruce C. Duval of Round Top, TX, his daughter Margaret L. Duval of Austin, TX, granddaughter, Hunter C. Tripp of Austin, TX, and by his brother P.J. “Jerry” Duval of Montgomery Creek, CA.

A private service was held at his home in Berkeley Springs, WV and his ashes will be interred at Ft. Logan Cemetery in Colorado.