Navy Commendation from the secretary of the Navy, with authorization to wear the commendation ribbon and Combat "V". His citation read:
During the invasion of Normandy when the USS Bates supported a predawn reconnaissance landing off Utah Beach on D-Day, Lieutenant Commander Duchin rendered invaluable assistance to his Commanding Officer in carrying out this vital assignment. Participating in the pre-invasion reconnaissance and the landings of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, he succeeded in maintaining his department at a high state of combat efficiency thereby contributing materially to the success of his ship in completing its highly important missions.