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In Memory of Marine LCPL

Marlin Joseph Callies

Howard, South Dakota, Miner County

 

July 23, 1949 – July 7, 1968

Died from a Mortar Attack in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam

Marlin Joseph Callies was born July 23, 1949 in Madison, South Dakota to Erwin Joseph and Beatrice Imogene (Hansen) Callies. He had three brothers: Eldon, Lionel, and Jerry, and two sisters, Kathy and Judy. Marlin attended St. Agatha High School in Howard, South Dakota.

Marlin Callies joined the Marines on June 6, 1967 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 17. He took his basic training in California, and arrived in Vietnam on November 15, 1967, as a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was a squad leader.

Marine LCPL Marlin Joseph Callies sustained fragmentary wounds from a hostile explosion in a defensive position while on patrol on July 2, 1968 in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. LCPL Callies died aboard the U.S Naval Hospital Ship, the USS Sanctuary, five days later, on July 7, 1968. Among his awards, LCPL Callies received the Purple Heart.

LCPL Marlin Callies was buried in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Howard on July 18, 1968. His name can be found on Panel 53W, Row 033 of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

His mother, Imogene, once said, “He was only 17 when he joined; he made up his mind he wanted to go to the Marines. He wanted to fight for his country.”

Shirley Swanson, Stanley County Middle School, Fort Pierre, South Dakota, April 17, 2006 respectfully completed this entry. Information was gathered using Bonus Records an article from the July 19, 1968 Miner County Pioneer, and an article from the Rapid City Journal.