Brigadier General (Ret) Robert S. Dutko, Sr.
Biography
General Dutko is a Board Member and Trustee for New Jersey Friends of the Guard and Reserve (NJFOGR), a non-profit organization that supports members of the Reserve components of the United States Armed Forces and the New Jersey National Guard and their families and works in close co-operation with the New Jersey Committee for the Support of the Guard and Reserve (NJESGR), a sub-committee of the National Committee for the Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). ESGR is an Agency within the Department of Defense.
Brigadier General (Ret) Robert S. Dutko, Sr. was born on March 9, 1936 in Trenton, New Jersey. He graduated from Trenton Central High School in 1953. He was awarded a degree of Associate in Arts from the Thomas A. Edison State University, Trenton, New Jersey in 1994. His military education includes Squadron Officer School-1975, Air Command and Staff College-1978 and the National Defense University Program-1984.
General Dutko's military career began in 1954, when he entered the Air National Guard at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. He was subsequently assigned to the 141st Fighter Bomber Squadron, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. In 1960, he was assigned to the 108 Supply Squadron as a Materiel Facilities Supervisor. On October 1, 1961, he was ordered into the active military service of the United States Air Force and assigned to the 7108th Tactical Fighter Wing, Chaumont Air Base, Chaumont, France. He returned from Chaumont, France and was released from active duty and assigned to the 108th Materiel Squadron, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, on August 20, 1962. In June 1971, he was assigned to the 108th Tactical Fighter Wing as a Materiel Management Superintendent.
In June 1972, he was commissioned to the rank of Captain under the Outstanding Airman Commissioning Program and served as the National Guard Bureau Supply Training Coordinator assigned to the Pentagon until January 1974. He was subsequently assigned to the 170th Combat Support Squadron as the Supply Management Staff Officer. On October 1, 1978, he was assigned to the 108th Tactical Fighter Wing as the Chief of Supply. In April 1990, he was assigned as the Deputy Commander for Resources for the 108th Tactical Fighter Wing. In July 1993, he was appointed as the Assistant Adjutant General (Air) and assigned to the Headquarters, New Jersey Air National Guard, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. In 1996 General Dutko retired after forty-two years of service to the state and nation.
General Dutko was a master Logistics Specialist with forty-two years of service. His exceptional performance has earned him the National Bureau Minuteman Award for outstanding performance and the Lieutenant Colonel Thomas P. Glen Outstanding Air National Guard Chief of Supply Award. General Dutko's military awards include the USAF Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Reserves Forces Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, and the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon.
General Dutko currently serves as the President of the Ewing Township Patriotic Committee, Vice President of the Armed Forces Heritage Museum and Vice President of the Mercer County Senior Golf League. His civic affiliations include the National Guard Association of the United States and of New Jersey, the Patriotic Committee of Ewing Township, The New Jersey Air Force Association, the American Legion, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, The Fraternal Order of Police and The New Jersey Air National Guard Historical Society.
General Dutko was promoted to and federally recognized as a Brigadier General on September 23, 1994.
General Dutko was appointed as State Chair for the New Jersey ESGR on I October 2001 and served two terms retiring in 2007.
General Dutko is married to the former Barbara Ann Pinder of Vincentown, New Jersey. They have three children: Robert, Jr., Donna Gies, and Diane Griffiths, and six grandchildren: Kelly Talar, Shelby, Nicholas and Michael Gies, Taylor and Garrett Griffiths, and two Great Grand Children Brennan and Austin Talar.