SGM Marcus E. Markham

SGM Marcus E. Markham entered the Army in November 1983 as a Cannon Crew Member, and volunteered for duty as an EOD Specialist in July 1986. SGM Markham became a subject matter expert and excelled in the EOD field.

SGM Markham had many duty assignments throughout his career. As an EOD Team Leader in 1992 he was selected as one of two team leaders to represent his unit for the first mission to provide EOD support from Alaska to the Joint Task Force-Full Accounting (JTF-FA) conducting POW/MIA recovery operations in Vietnam. He was responsible for the safety of the recovery team and to identify and assess all UXO hazards encountered during his seven 30 day rotations in Vietnam.

Around the start of 2003, SGM Markham’s company was selected to provide an EOD team to each combat brigade in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. SGM Markham worked tirelessly to ensure his EOD had the necessary sustainment to succeed in every mission conducted.

In December of 2004, he was the first soldier sent to Fort Carson, CO to aid in the establishment of the 71st OD Group which now handles all EOD missions west of the Mississippi River.

SGM Markham’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with Service Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Assault Badge, and Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.

SGM Markham retired in April 2008 after 25 years of active service.