LCPL.
RONALD JOE MARKEL
Born
on May 14, 1947
From WALDRON, MICHIGAN
Casualty was on May 9, 1968
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Panel 57E - - Line 27
Ron
Markel, USMC
(picture courtesy of Ron's sister, Connie)
LCpl. Ronald Markel served with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, Mike Company. He was Killed In Action during Operation HOUSTON II. His name stands proudly on the Mike 3/5 Wall of Honor. Semper fi, Brother Marine. We will never forget.
Pictures courtesy of Steve Howsmon, M/3/5
(click pictures to enlarge)
M/3/5 Rocket Squad
1. Notes on back of picture read: Marine on left is Steve Howsmon, Brad Reynolds, William C. Mitchell and Ron Markel. Taken in Phu Bai in May I think. Starting from the right is Ron Markel; he got killed May 9 on hill 1192. Next is Mitchell. He’s in Japan here with me. Next is Reynolds. He got a big chunk torn out of his rear end. He’s in the states now.
2. Front row: the Marine holding the 3.5 rocket launcher is Ron Markel, the middle crouching down is Forrest La Wayne Bartram. The Marine, right, holding the rocket launcher is Victor Sosa.
Back row: left is Steve Howsmon, John Lobur, and last is (I believe) LCpl. Hoying.3. Notes on back of picture read: The Marine on the left is Ron Markel, he was in rockets and KIA in May '68 during Operation HOUSTON II (Hill 1192). The Marine in the middle is Victor Sosa, my rocket squad leader, and me (Steve Howsmon) on the end.
Steve Howsmon, Frank Henderson, Ron Markel
Notes on back of picture read: I believe this is in Phu Bai in our hootch. The Marine on the left is me, the Marine in the middle is Frank Henderson, on the end is Ron Markel. This is a new building we got around February to sleep in. It’s an old sergeants quarters. The fellow on the right is Ron Markel, the fellow in the middle is Frank Henderson.
My Brother, Ron
My brother is Ron Markel. I was 12 when he was killed. I had my mom look for pictures, and she found some that Ron's wife had given to her.
Ron, doing what he loved best
Our youngest son, Brandon, wrote this essay in hopes of getting a scholarship. He won! When he speaks of Vietnam, he lists fathers, grandfathers, brothers and UNCLES. Even thuogh none of our children (mine, brother's, sister's) knew their Uncle Ron, they all seemed to be raised with respect and honor for him. God Bless, Connie (Markel) Strong
Essay by Ron Markel's nephew, Brandon Strong
Pictures Ron sent home from Vietnam
Ron Markel
Unidentified Marines, maybe someone can identify them?
Merry Christmas, December 1967
Childhood friend
Ron: I just wanted you and your family to know that I have not forgotten you and the sacrifice you made for all of us. It seems like just yesterday that we were just a couple of kids playing baseball and building forts in the haymow and such. You were one of the best, Ron and I will remember you always. Dan
Dan Boyd
