In $\triangle ABC$, $\angle A = 30^{\circ}$ and $AB = AC = 16$ in. Let $D$ lie on segment $BC$ such that $\frac{DB}{DC} = \frac23$ . Let $E$ and $F$ be the orthogonal projections of $D$ onto $AB$ and $AC$, respectively. Find $DE + DF$ in inches.
1. Given that $\triangle ABC$ is isosceles with $AB = AC = 16$ inches and $\angle A = 30^\circ$, we can use the properties of isosceles triangles and trigonometry to find the lengths of the sides and heights.

2. Since $\angle A = 30^\circ$, $\angle B = \angle C = 75^\circ$ because the sum of angles in a triangle is $180^\circ$.

3. Let $D$ lie on segment $BC$ such that $\frac{DB}{DC} = \frac{2}{3}$. This implies that $D$ divides $BC$ in the ratio $2:3$. Let $BC = x$. Then, $DB = \frac{2}{5}x$ and $DC = \frac{3}{5}x$.

4. Using the Law of Cosines in $\triangle ABC$:
   \[
   BC^2 = AB^2 + AC^2 - 2 \cdot AB \cdot AC \cdot \cos(\angle A)
   \]
   \[
   BC^2 = 16^2 + 16^2 - 2 \cdot 16 \cdot 16 \cdot \cos(30^\circ)
   \]
   \[
   BC^2 = 256 + 256 - 512 \cdot \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}
   \]
   \[
   BC^2 = 512 - 256\sqrt{3}
   \]
   \[
   BC = \sqrt{512 - 256\sqrt{3}}
   \]

5. Now, we need to find the orthogonal projections $E$ and $F$ of $D$ onto $AB$ and $AC$, respectively.

6. The area of $\triangle ABC$ can be calculated using the formula for the area of a triangle:
   \[
   \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \cdot AB \cdot AC \cdot \sin(\angle A)
   \]
   \[
   \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \cdot 16 \cdot 16 \cdot \sin(30^\circ)
   \]
   \[
   \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \cdot 16 \cdot 16 \cdot \frac{1}{2}
   \]
   \[
   \text{Area} = 64
   \]

7. The area of $\triangle ABD$ and $\triangle ACD$ can be found using the ratio of the segments $DB$ and $DC$:
   \[
   \text{Area of } \triangle ABD = \frac{2}{5} \cdot 64 = \frac{128}{5}
   \]
   \[
   \text{Area of } \triangle ACD = \frac{3}{5} \cdot 64 = \frac{192}{5}
   \]

8. The heights from $D$ to $AB$ and $AC$ are $DE$ and $DF$, respectively. Using the area formula for triangles:
   \[
   \text{Area of } \triangle ABD = \frac{1}{2} \cdot AB \cdot DE
   \]
   \[
   \frac{128}{5} = \frac{1}{2} \cdot 16 \cdot DE
   \]
   \[
   DE = \frac{128}{5} \cdot \frac{2}{16} = \frac{16}{5}
   \]

   Similarly,
   \[
   \text{Area of } \triangle ACD = \frac{1}{2} \cdot AC \cdot DF
   \]
   \[
   \frac{192}{5} = \frac{1}{2} \cdot 16 \cdot DF
   \]
   \[
   DF = \frac{192}{5} \cdot \frac{2}{16} = \frac{24}{5}
   \]

9. Finally, we sum $DE$ and $DF$:
   \[
   DE + DF = \frac{16}{5} + \frac{24}{5} = \frac{40}{5} = 8
   \]

The final answer is $\boxed{8}$ inches.