Fallen Soldier: John W. Marcum

Senior Chief Petty Officer John W. Marcum, 34, of Flushing, Mich., was assigned to Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck, Virginia and served during Operation Enduring Freedom. On September 12, 2008, SCPO Marcum was killed during a firefight with heavily armed militants in Bagram, Afghanistan.

SCPO Marcum was a 1991 graduate of Flushing Senior High School who immediately enlisted in the Navy. Following Basic Training, he began his quest to become a Navy SEAL, completing the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in 1993. He was then assigned to SEAL Team TWO.

SCPO Marcum is a highly decorated combat veteran and received many awards including four Bronze Star medals with combat "V" distinguishing device, two Silver Star medals for combat valor, and a Purple Heart.

John Wayne Marcum was destined to go into the military, according to one of his high school administrators. “He wanted to have some active role in some branch of the military,” said Archie Bailey. “He was a patriot and the kind of kid that could light up your day”.

SCPO Marcum is survived by his wife, Cynthia and daughter Madison. Madison is a Folds of Honor Scholarship recipient.