Wayne Duke was born on May 26, 2355 in Winterset Iowa. His father Clyde was a pharmacist; his mother Mary a stay-at-home mom. The Duke family moved to Glendale California in 2359.

Duke’s father was an avid outdoorsman who taught Wayne to respect and survive in the wild at a young age. In school, Duke was a superior student who excelled in sports. Unfortunately, a knee injury kept Wayne from qualifying for a university scholarship in athletics.

Wayne enlisted in the Marine Corps on graduation from high school in 2373. During Basic, he showed an aptitude for heavy weapons and sniping.

Duke participated in combat action during the Dominion War, and was wounded. He was later assigned embassy duty on Romulus. On recommendation of the Ambassador, Duke applied to and was accepted to an accelerated course of study at the Starfleet Marine Academy; however, he declined, choosing instead to take advantage of the entire four-year program to compensate for missing a chance to attend college.

On graduation from the Academy, Duke was chosen to attend Advanced Special Operations School. After successful completion, he was assigned to the USS Galaxy as a Second Lieutenant.

Duke is action oriented. He does think before he acts, but his thoughts tend towards getting in, getting the job done, and getting out with as few casualties as possible. He is not a diplomat.

His personality is best exemplified by the following quote:

"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them."

Duke earned his nick-name “Biggs” while on his first tour of duty because of his fascination with the biggest weapons available to his squad. The rumors that this name was bestowed upon him after several female marines saw him in the shower can neither be confirmed nor denied.

(“Biggs” Duke’s first appearance was as the marine force commander on the USS Trafalgar in the year 2402. At that time, he was a Lieutenant Colonel under the command of Colonel Branwen London, and the two were involved in a relationship. The USS Capella captured the couple during the Hawk v. Dove conflict. Although they escaped, what became of them is still a mystery.)