Marlow Loecker

Specialist Marlow Loecker

Company A 1/22 Infantry 4th Infantry Division

KIA February 16, 1967

Memorial to Marlow by his nephew Mike

As a member of the Army Selective Service, SP4 Marlow Loecker served our country until February 16th, 1967
in Kontum, South Vietnam. His tour began on July 21, 1966.
He was 21 years old and was not married.
Marlow died from small arms fire. His body was recovered.
Marlow was born on December 21st, 1945 in Crofton, Nebraska.
He served our country for one year.

SP4 Loecker is on panel 15E, line 047 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.

Marlow's decorations

Recommendation for the Bronze Star Medal for Marlow,
written by his fellow Soldier, David Childs

Memorial to Marlow at his nephew Mike's home

Poem written in Marlow's honor by his fellow Soldier in Company A 1/22 Infantry, Don Gertenrich

The text of the above poem:

Sometimes Today Is Forever:

To my mother and father, and all my brothers,
Who does the math, as we weigh our druthers?
I wanted to tell you, had I given less fight,
I could not have finished, most anything right.

In my judgment, the way that life moves,
The paths we go down, we not always choose.
Not every story, is the beginning or the end.
Not every triumph, is round the next bend.

I did my best, it was all that I could do,
I found peace in chaos, and came home to you.
Things so clear, and so close to my soul,
Flashed before my eyes, I saw not the toll.

My brothers at arms, were close to my side.
Twas for them I sacrificed, twas for them I cried.
The bravery that surrounded us, left nothing to compare,
But the need to prevail, and the need to dare.

I left all of you and the battle fields I roamed,
To come to a place, so far from our home.
Some will argue, what's the value of death,
So costly to our families, as we draw our last breath.

Many are summoned, but not all answer the call.
The ones who did, can be found on The Wall.
One thing I know, and this I beg you must see,
Freedom is priceless, but it certainly isn't free.

Think of me as the wind, blows gently on your face.
I lived for all of you, and not for the race.
We will meet again, in those grassy fields.
Drink deeply from life and all that it yields.

Shed no tears of sorrow, and think not of the loss.
Think only of serving, and not of the cost.
Each of us answers the call, in different ways,
And I will be with you, to the end of your days.

For Marlow, (Gert July 20,09)

It is said:
'they are not gone,
that live on in the hearts
of those left behind'.

From Feb, 16th, 1967, Marlow lives in many.

Marlow's grave

All above photos courtesy of Marlow's nephew, Mike.

The 1st Battalion website is grateful to Mike Loecker for his devotion in honoring his Uncle Marlow

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Photo of Marlow Loecker during Basic Training

Photo courtesy of Manuel Cazares Company A 1/22 Infantry 1966-67

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