RESERVE OFFICER FREDRICK J. MARKLAND

BADGE 52, ID 9049

SDPD 09/12/1967 - 01/20/1984

01/28/1929 - 07/28/2000

THE THIN BLUE LINE

Mr. Frederick Markland

Frederick Markland, 72 won Navy Cross for heroism in Korean War

San Diego Union-Tribune, The (CA) - Tuesday, August 1, 2000

What began as a routine assignment on a Korean War supply train turned into an act of heroism for Marine Corps Pvt. Frederick Markland.

When the train stopped in the small town of Kowon, Korea, to take on water for the rest of the trip, it was ambushed by North Korean guerrillas.

After aiding two wounded men -- a Marine sergeant and a South Korean interpreter -- Mr. Markland tried to start the train under heavy enemy fire.

The next thing he knew, grenades had blown up the train's engine, and shrapnel had lodged in his back and side.

As he crawled from the engine to an adjoining car, he was shot in the left leg.

With gunfire blazing, all the outmanned Marines on board except Mr. Markland and a fellow sentry were killed. Feigning death for most of the cold, December night, Mr. Markland and his severely wounded buddy avoided capture.

By the next day, they had hobbled to safety 10 miles away.

Mr. Markland, who suffered a collapsed lung but refused medical attention until completing a full report of the ambush, was awarded the Navy Cross.

It was one of several decorations, including the Purple Heart, Silver Star and multiple Bronze Stars, that Mr. Markland received in a 21-year military career that included duty in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

He was 72 when he died of pancreatic cancer Friday in his Mission Valley home.

A San Diegan since 1957, Mr. Markland was among the founders of Tecolote Little League. "He was there when it wasn't more than a dirt lot with gopher holes, " said daughter Judith Laux. "He was an umpire, coach and groundskeeper."

Mr. Markland, a former high school and service-team quarterback, also coached Pop Warner football as a civilian in San Diego.

After retiring from the military, he worked in security and was employed until two weeks before his death. His assignments over the years were at the San Diego Zoo, Atlas Hotels, SeaWorld and the University of San Diego.

From 1969 to 1989, he was a San Diego Police Department reserve.

Born in Farmer City, Ill., Mr. Markland worked at his father's soda fountain as a youth. He joined the Marine Corps in 1948 and was shipped overseas in August 1950.

Assigned to an amphibious tractor battalion, he took part in the landing at Inchon with the first wave of Marines. He also helped ferry Marines across the Han River into Seoul under enemy fire after the enemy had destroyed bridges.

He later landed at Wonsan Harbor, where he became a train guard.

After being wounded in the train attack, Mr. Markland recovered in a Japanese hospital. In 1959, he became a drill instructor, and in the mid-1960s he was shipped to Vietnam, where he was wounded again in combat.

He recovered in Hawaii and then returned to the San Diego area to finish his military career.

Among his military decorations were a Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, a Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, a Navy Presidential Unit Citation and a Korean Presidential Unit Citation.

An avid outdoorsman, Mr. Markland enjoyed tennis, golf and camping. He was a fan of Louis L'Amour books "and he enjoyed poking fun at everything and everyone," Laux said.

Survivors include daughters Patricia Gittleman of Pottsville, Pa., Lynn Gilbreath of Portland, Maine, and Mary Markland, Susan Green and Judith Laux, all of San Diego; a son, Steve Markland of San Diego; his former wife of 38 years, Jo Markland; several grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

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