07-13-1955 - 04-7-1984
Branch of Service: U.S. Air Force
Rank: SSgt
Spouse of: Deborah A Judy
Comments: Written by Mark's best friend. He was asked at the AF NCO Leadership School to write a piece on patriotism. This says it all:
Requiem for a Hero
One dark and cold April night,
A helo took off on a fateful flight,
A crew of eight on that flying machine,
Those brave men of the "Jolly Green."
A routine mission, missile support.
Oh God, I wish now they did abort.
My friend Mark, a brother I'd say,
A light burning bright, extinguished that day.
We got the word: the Jolly is down,
Five lost souls, they can't be found.
We searched all night and into the day,
At the oceans bottom, my friend did lay.
His job was rescue and he was the best,
From the day he started until he laid to his rest.
He saved many lives at the risk of his own.
Among we his peers, his name was well-known.
Men talk about heroes and patriots and such,
And I think of Mark; I miss him so much.
He gave to life what he could give,
He gave his life "That others may live."