Greater Love Hath No Man Than This, 
That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friend. 
John 15:13

Mark loved sports cars, the Beach Boys, photography, Jan and Dean, The Ventures, Sherry, playing chess and flying. Mark was our only brother, and we hope you see that he is not just a name on The Wall..........he was a son, a brother, a friend, a cousin, a nephew, an uncle, a brother-in-law, and a fine pilot.

Mark began his tour in Vietnam on September 25,1968. He was assigned to the 361st Aviation Company Escort, The Pink Panthers, stationed at Camp Holloway in the Central Highlands. This unit primarily flew support for SOG (Studies and Observations Group) a joint service, highly classified, unconventional and clandestine operation. These missions were dangerous and demanding for both the ground elements and the supporting air assets. The 361st flew support for teams being inserted along the Cambodian and Loatian borders. These teams were from the 5th Special Forces based at Kontum.

Mark flew the AH-1G Cobra Helicopter for 9 months. During this time he was shot down twice, before being Killed in Action. On a mission not normally flown by the 361st, Mark as aircraft commander and Warrant Officer Michael Mahowald as pilot, on June 16, 1969, were shot down by hostile fire while scouting a remote highway for a convoy.

During his brief military career Mark was awarded the Army Aviator Badge, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal with "V" for Valor, the Air Medal with 21 oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Vietnam Merit Medal with one bronze service star, and the National Defense Service Medal.

Mark's name appears on Panel 22 West, Line 57 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. 
He was 22 years old. He was the 22nd person to be Killed In Action from our hometown of Hialeah, Florida.

Click here for photos taken by Mark's sister at 
The Moving Wall in Silverdale, Washington.