By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FOREST PARK - Since World War II, every inch and every pound of Duncan R. Nutting was a Marine.

"This was your typical, hard-nosed, crusty old Pacific Marine," said his cousin David Moonitz of Sycamore Township.

"One of the last things he told his son Tommy was: 'Be sure those Marine Corps emblems are on my headstone.'"

Mr. Nutting died at Mercy South Hospital on Sunday, not long after receiving a diagnosis of acute leukemia. He was 85.

Mr. Nutting graduated from Norwood High School in the 1930s, took a job at Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing and married.

His first child - a boy named Richard - died at birth. He and his wife, Ruth, "were both terribly upset over their son's death," his cousin said. "Duncan just said to hell with it and went and joined the Marine Corps."

He was sent to the Pacific Theater, where he first worked in aviation ordnance. As a rifleman, he participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima. He was on the USS Bunker Hill when the aircraft carrier was hit by two kamikazes.

Mr. Nutting returned to his job at Allis-Chalmers and raised a family. He went to work for G.E. Aircraft Engines in Evendale, where he retired as an executive.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Wimmers Nutting; two sons, Dennis and Thom Nutting; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Friday at Anderson Funeral Home, 8611 Winton Road. Mass of Christian burial 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 2014 Springdale Road in New Burlington. Memorials: Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 2014 Springdale Road, Cincinnati 45231.