Fellow Soldiers gathered at 1st Cavalry Division’s Memorial
Chapel Jan. 15, to honor a 1st Cavalry Division combat
veteran, Staff Sgt. Kevin Marsh, who was found dead in his
barrack’s room Jan. 1.
The Friedens, Pa. native was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 12th
Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry
Division Rear-Detachment since June 2008.
Capt. David Sheehan, 2-12th Cav. Regt.’s rear detachment's
commander, who’s known Marsh since May 2008, described him
as “creative” and told stories about his handiwork at home,
where he built furniture and displayed original pieces of
artwork.
“We will all have our own reasons to remember, our own ways
in which he touched our lives. We should also all learn
something from his passing. Staff Sergeant Marsh, thank you
for your service,” Sheehan said.
He deployed twice previously in support of Operation Iraqi
Freedom, serving as a gunner and vehicle commander in 3rd
Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment in Iraq in 2003-04, 2005-06.
Marsh, who was 41, began his military service in the U.S.
Navy more than 23 years ago upon graduation from high
school.
During his time in the Navy, he attended Basic Training,
Electrical Technician School, Naval Nuclear Power School,
and the Naval Nuclear Power Plant Operator’s Course. In his
final assignment in the Navy, he served as a Reactor Control
officer aboard the ballistic missile submarine USS James
Madison.
After a 10-year break-in-service, Marsh joined the
Pennsylvania Army National Guard in 1998, enlisting as an M1
Abrams Tank crewman, where he was initially assigned as tank
driver in Company C, 1st Battalion, 103rd Armor Regiment.
Marsh entered active duty in 2002 at Fort Hood and had been
assigned to 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 4th
Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized). Marsh was a
tank gunner in Co. A and deployed to Iraq in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom I.
During that deployment, Marsh was awarded the Bronze Star
for actions in contact with the enemy when his tank and that
of a wingman protected vulnerable vehicles from enemy fire
and allowed other units to maneuver on the enemy by
providing supporting fire.
Upon returning to Fort Hood, he chose to stay with 3-67th AR
Regt. which was reconstituted as 2-12th Cav. Regt., 4th BCT,
1st Cav. Div. He would return to Iraq again with this
battalion in 2006, this time on a deployment to east
Baghdad.
His medals and awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Army
Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good
Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on
Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the
Combat Action Badge.
Marsh is survived by his wife, Ida.