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In Memory of U.S. Army Private First Class

Michael David Marks

Sioux Falls, South Dakota/ University Heights, Ohio, Minnehaha County/ Cuyahoga County

 August 5, 1943 –January 8, 1968

Killed in Action in Long An, South Vietnam

Michael David Marks was born on August 5, 1943, to Philip and Sara Marks. His siblings included two brothers, Buddy and Terry, and a sister, Judith. It is believed he was raised and educated in University Heights, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. He worked for the Richards Company and was transferred to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he lived for only five months before being drafted into the Army. While he was in Sioux Falls, he lived at the Kenwood Manor Apartments, which still operate today.

Michael Marks enlisted on May 23, 1967, and shortly thereafter arrived at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, for his basic training. His additional training was at Fort Polk, Louisiana. In early September of 1967 PFC Marks was en route to United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC). He was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division on November 2, 1967.

On January 8, 1968, Private First Class Michael David Marks was killed in action in Long An Province, South Vietnam. Although his status was first reported as missing in action to his parents on January 10, his body was soon recovered and his status was changed to killed in action two days later. A funeral service was held on Sunday, January 21, 1968, at the Miller-Deutsch Memorial Chapel in University Heights, Ohio, followed by burial at the Mount Olive Cemetery, a Jewish cemetery where other members of his family are also buried.

Among his awards, PFC Marks was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and Expert Badge w/Rifle.

Although Michael entered the service from South Dakota and as such is officially listed as a South Dakota casualty, he was born, raised, educated, and buried in his home state of Ohio.

This entry was respectfully submitted by Sheila Hansen, teacher, Spearfish Middle School, Spearfish, SD, June 15, 2006. Information for this entry was provided by a brief military record courtesy of National Personnel Records Center, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 1/16/68 issue, and a brief notice in the Plain Dealer, 1/21/1968 issue, via the Cleveland Public Library.