James Calvin Markel Jr.  was born on January 30, 1950, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Markel Sr. They resided at 355 Hephzibah Hill Road, Coatesville. He attended East Fallowfield Elementary School, South Brandywine Middle School, and Scott High School (now Coatesville Area High School). In June of 1967, Jim was married to the former Judy Reedy.

Jim joined the U.S. Marine Corps and did his boot camp training on Parris Island, SC. He was a member of 2nd Battalion, Platoon 2036. His training was from September 6, 1967 to November 6,1967.

Four other members from his boot camp platoon would also be killed in Vietnam:

• Jody A. Cron, Nicholson, PA Panel 45E, Row 33

• Richard M. Seng, Allentown, PA Panel 57E, Row 10

• Randolph J. Sterns, Tuscaloosa, AL Panel 57E, Row 34

• Carroll E. White from Richmond, VA Panel 41W, Row 44

Jim served with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division in Vietnam. Jim’s tour of duty in Vietnam began on March 12, 1968. The Marines of 3/7 had just moved from An Hoa to an area to the southwest, designated as “Dodge City” in Quang Nam Province. Two days later, on July 28, 1968, while his Unit was on a company-sized sweep, they walked into an L-shaped ambush. According to his Platoon Sergeant Joaquin ‘Guam’ Tuncap, Jim was carrying the PRC-25 radio that day. When the ambush was sprung by the North Vietnamese Army (NVA), a machine gunner in the squad was killed instantly. LCPL Dave Highfield, also a member of the squad, last saw Jim pick up the downed machine gun and head toward the enemy. In his attempt to lay down a base of fire, to protect his fellow Marines, he was killed in action. He had been in Vietnam 4 ½ months. Because of the fighting being so intense, 19 men were killed in action.

For heroism in this action, a Navy Corpsman was awarded the Medal of Honor, and three others Marines received the Silver Star. HM3 Wayne M. Caron, USN – Medal of Honor Panel 50 W,  Row 22 CPL Edward J Downs, USMC – Silver Star Panel 50 W, Row 23 PFC Jorge Martinez, USMC – Silver Star Panel 50 W, Row 27 CPL John R. Serrano, USMC – Silver Star Panel 50W,  Row 27

Jim’s awards include the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ Palm, Vietnamese Military Merit Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/ 3 stars, Combat Action Ribbon, and Purple Heart.

Funeral services were held on August 9, 1968 at Gavegan Funeral Home, 6th & Lincoln Hwy, Coatesville. Interment with Military Honors was performed at Fairview Cemetery, Coatesville.

Surviving at the time of his death were his wife, Judy; 4-month-old son, James C. Markel III; his parents, Mr. James C. Markel Sr., Coatesville; Mrs. Doris Markel, Chatham; brother, Wayne Markel; two sisters, Dawn and Darlene Markel; and two half-brothers, Ronald and Howard Hilton.

On Sunday, May 31, 1981, East Fallowfied Township held a “Vietnam Memorial Dedication,” honoring her two lost sons of the Vietnam War, LCPL James C. Markel Jr.,USMC and Specialist 4 Glenn C. Valente, USA.
Panel 5W, Row 28

Today, the memorial still stands at the base of the American flag pole.

The name of JAMES C MARKEL JR appears on the “Wall” in Washington, DC on Panel 50W, Row 25.

James Markel's grave marker at Fairview Cemetery