Photo: United States Congress / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Duke Cunningham is a politician, military officer and university teacher, born on December 8, 1941 in Los Angeles, California, United States. As of 2026, Duke Cunningham is 84 years old. Schooling on record includes University of Missouri. Awards on record include Purple Heart, Air Medal, Silver Star and 1 more.
My Take
Duke Cunningham is one of the most striking studies in human contradiction I have encountered. A Vietnam fighter ace decorated with the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Air Medal, and Purple Heart, he then spent fourteen years as a California congressman before going to prison for taking bribes from defense contractors. To me his arc is almost tragic in shape: a man who risked everything in the sky was undone by ordinary greed on the ground. I find no easy lesson in it, only the unsettling reminder that valor and corruption can inhabit the same person. His 2025 death closed a deeply divided legacy.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Duke Cunningham
- Name (Japanese)
- デューク・カニンガム
- Reading
- でゅーく・かにんがむ
- Born
- December 8, 1941 (age 84)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Sagittarius / Snake
- Origin
- Los Angeles, California, United States
- Occupation
- politician / military officer / teacher / university teacher / aircraft pilot
2. Background
- University
- University of Missouri
Awards & achievements
- Purple Heart
- Air Medal
- Silver Star
- Navy Cross
3. Links
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke%20Cunningham
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q946106
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Duke Cunningham born?
Born December 8, 1941 (age 84).
Where is Duke Cunningham from?
Duke Cunningham is from Los Angeles, California, United States.
What does Duke Cunningham do?
Duke Cunningham works as politician, military officer, teacher, university teacher, aircraft pilot.
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