Born: October 17, 1923 Master Sergeant, United States Army Service# RA19317267
MEDICAL CO, 31ST INFANTRY REGIMENT, 7TH INFANTRY DIVISION
Home or Place of Enlistment: Canyon County, Idaho Date of Loss/POW: December 7, 1950
Master Sergeant Mark was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Navy at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack. In 1948, after his release from the Navy, he joined the U.S. Army. While in Korea, he was a medic with the 7th Infantry Division. On December 1, 1950, his convoy was moving and was ambushed by Chinese forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. He was seriously wounded while tending his wounded comrades and taken prisoner. He died of those wounds on December 7, 1950. His remains were not recovered.
PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (NAVY)
The President of the United States takes pleasure in awarding the Presidential Unit Citation by the Secretary of the Navy to:
THE FIRST MARINE DIVISION, REINFORCED
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION: For extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Chosin reservoir and Koto-Ri of Korea from 27 November to 11 December 1950. When the full fury of the enemy counterattack struck both the Eighth Army and the Tenth Corps on 27 and 28 November 1950, the First Marine Division, Reinforced, operating as the Left Flank Division of the Tenth Corps, launched a daring assault westward from Yudam-Ni in an effort to cut the road and rail communications of hostile forces attacking the eighth army and at the same time, continued its mission of protecting a vital main supply route consisting of a tortuous mountain road running southward to Chinhung-Ni, approximately 35 miles distant. Ordered to withdraw to Hamhung in company with attached army and other friendly units in the face of tremendous pressure in the Chosin reservoir area the division began an epic battle against the bulk of the enemy third route army and, while small intermediate garrisons at Hagaru-Ri and Koto-Ri held firmly against repeated and determined attacks by hostile forces, gallantly fought its way successively to Hagaru-Ri, Koto-Ri, Chinhung-Ni and Hamhung over twisting, mountainous and icy roads in sub-zero temperatures. Battling desperately night and day in the face of almost insurmountable odds throughout a period of two weeks of intense and sustained combat, the First Marine Division, Reinforced, emerged from its ordeal as a fighting unit with its wounded, with its guns and equipment and with its prisoners, decisively defeating seven enemy divisions, together with elements of three others, and inflicting major losses which seriously impaired the military effectiveness of the hostile forces for a considerable period of time. The valiant fighting spirit, relentless perseverance and heroic fortitude of the officers and men of the First Marine Division, Reinforced, in battle against a vastly outnumbering enemy, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
FIRST REPUBLIC OF KOREA PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
By Order of the Secretary of the Army, the Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded by the President of the Republic of Korea to:
SEVENTH INFANTRY DIVISION, UNITED STATES ARMY
CITATION: As a United States Division engaged in amphibious operations at Inchon from 15 September to 27 September 1950, and in conjunction with the First United States Marine Division, it rapidly established a beachhead in the vicinity of Inchon, assisted in the rapid advance to Yongdongpo and Seoul, the capture of the City of Seoul, capital of Korea, and the subsequent taking of a large number of prisoners of war, equipment and material. The outstanding performance of duty by each individual member of the Second Seventh Division of the United States Army is in accord with the highest traditions of military service.
SECOND REPUBLIC OF KOREA PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
By Order of the Secretary of the Army, the Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded by the President of the Republic of Korea to:
SEVENTH INFANTRY DIVISION, UNITED STATES ARMY
CITATION: The 7th Infantry Division, after playing a significant role in the liberation of Seoul effecting a link-up with the 1st Cavalry Division, was landed amphibiously at Iwon in North Korea on October 28, 1950. Elements of the Division spearheaded a drive to the north and entered the Yalu River city of Hyesanjin in November 1950 and a task force moved to the eastern shore of the Chosin Reservoir and with the 1st Marine Division participated in severe fighting against the Chinese Communist Forces. The task force reached Hungnam in December 1950, and rejoined other elements of the Division. After successfully defending a sector of the perimeter, the Division was evacuated by sea for further operations. Early in 1951, the Division advanced in the eastern sector to a position just south of the 38th parallel and continued its attack to the north, capturing important objectives and defeating enemy attempts to break through key positions. In May the Division led a drive on the central front and captured the key city of Hwachon. Limited objective attacks were conducted during August and September, and from October 1951 to February 1952 the Division with exceptional gallantry occupied and defended positions in the Heartbreak Ridge and Punch Bowl areas. From April 1952 until the cease-fire was effected on 27 July 1953 the Division launched coordinated attacks with the Second Republic of Korea Division, successfully defending important positions in the Chorwon Valley sector, and actively and effectively patrolled vital areas. The outstanding performance of duty by each individual member of the 7th Division and attached units contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of the mission of the United Nations Forces and is in accord with the highest traditions of the military service. By this citation each member of the 7th United States Infantry Division and attached units who served in Korea during the period 30 September 1950 to 27 July 1953 is entitled to wear the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.