Navy Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Marcum was assigned to Naval Special Warfare Development Group, Dam Neck, Virginia. He died Sept. 12 from injuries sustained Sept. 11 during a battle with heavily armed militants. John was a graduate of Flushing Senior High School in Flushing, Michigan. In 1991, he enlisted in the Navy, joined the SEALs after completing basic training, and then transferred to the Special Warfare Development Group in 2000. His long list of awards includes four Bronze Stars with combat "V," a Joint Service Commendation and Achievement medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals, an Army Commendation medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, four Combat Action ribbons, a Silver Star for combat valor plus a multitude of personal, unit and campaign decorations. As a fun-loving high schooler, John always wanted to have a military career. He was a wonderful husband to his wife, Cynthia, and a loving father to his daughter and two step daughters. John put himself in harms way many times fighting for his country – he was a patriot.
Navy Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Marcum was assigned to Naval Special Warfare Development Group, Dam Neck, Virginia. He died Sept. 12 from injuries sustained Sept. 11 during a battle with heavily armed militants. John was a graduate of Flushing Senior High School in Flushing, Michigan. In 1991, he enlisted in the Navy, joined the SEALs after completing basic training, and then transferred to the Special Warfare Development Group in 2000. His long list of awards includes four Bronze Stars with combat "V," a Joint Service Commendation and Achievement medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals, an Army Commendation medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, four Combat Action ribbons, a Silver Star for combat valor plus a multitude of personal, unit and campaign decorations. As a fun-loving high schooler, John always wanted to have a military career. He was a wonderful husband to his wife, Cynthia, and a loving father to his daughter and two step daughters. John put himself in harms way many times fighting for his country – he was a patriot.
