Soldier Honored: 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 while conducting combat operations in Bagram, Afghanistan.

SCPO Marcum enlisted in the Navy on August 5, 1991 and reported to Recruit Training Command in Orlando the same day. After completing basic training, he attended the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center before reporting to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training. Upon graduation he attended Basic Airborne School, and then reported to his first permanent duty station at SEAL Team 2 at Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Va. SCPO Marcum then received orders to Naval Special Warfare Tactical Development and Evaluation Squadron 2. SCPO Marcum is a highly-decorated combat veteran and received numerous awards including four Bronze Star medals with combat "V" distinguishing device, a Joint Service Commendation medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals, an Army Commendation medal, a Joint Service Achievement medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, four Combat Action ribbons, plus many personal, unit and campaign decorations.

“He wanted to have some active role in some branch of the military,” said Archie Bailey, Genesee County commissioner. “I believe it offered something that met his needs. He was a patriot, the kind of kid that could light up your day.”

SCPO Marcum’s daughter is a Folds of Honor Scholarship recipient.