Medal of Honor story: Walter Joseph "Joe" Marm

Army officer's selfless actions led his team to a successful mission under heavy fire during the Battle of la Drang.

[@garyowen9044]

When I have hip pain, I watch these. Put’s things into perspective.

[@CampoftheSaintsBKK]

As an Active Duty US Army Infantry Captain, I spent 1985-86 as Brigade S-4 of the Second Infantry Training Brigade at Ft. Benning, GA. During that time, LTC Walter Marm served as Battalion Commander of the Brigade's 2nd Battalion, delivering OSUT (One Station Unit Training) training to both active duty and (during summer-times) USAR/NG recruits. I attended many meetings that were also attended by LTC Marm, and - because my Brigade S-4 building was not far from LTC Marm's Battalion HQ - I ran into him many times within the Brilgade area. LTC Marm was always very polite and gracious - and was always willing to talk with me, when opportunities unfolded. He earned my utmost respect - based on both his MOH reputation, and also on his general warm and gracious conduct. COL Marm - Sir, I wish you continued heath and happiness in your retirement!

[@police1043]

In 1986 I was a young Drill SGT I received my first ARCOM from him when he was the BCT BN Commander at Ft Benning,GA 1.

[@cwhite7970]

I have the utmost respect for COL Marm. Proud to have served with him and thankful for his unselfish service a great man.

[@chadscombatvet9182]

Worked briefly under MAJ Marm when was S3 2d Brigade 1st Cavalry. I was the PSYOP team leader, planned my missions with him. Great leader. Welcome Home, Sir.

[@timprescott4634]

Must be Chad Spwar. Fellow former PSYOPer here...

[@jakespop67]

I also served under him in Fort Benning in 1986 and the next time I seen him I was getting my haircut in a little town called Stantonsburg N. C. and I heard a gentlemen speaking to my right and it was him . The guy sitting beside him was a guy named Dan ! Dan seen me looking and asked me " Do you know this man " ? I said " Yes sir i believe I do " He said he didnt remember me and I said " Sir that might be a good thing "! After all that time I still called him sir ! he kept telling me after we had talked for about 20 minutes He said I didn't have to call him Sir anymore and I said I do not believe I could ever stop calling you Sir ! He smiled and told me to come visit him anytime ! I seen him jogging sometimes when I get around where he lives but I try not to get up that early on my day off !! Respect !!

[@dukeman7595]

Joe Marm thank you for the sacrifice and service you provided to your men and our Country..

[@killerkane1957]

I met a man in my small town tire shop a few months back. I knew from the patches on his shirt that he had to know Moore, Savage, and Plumley. He was startled by my recognition at first but we had a very frank but pleasant discussion. What an honor for me and moment of pride for him. LZ X Ray and Albany were bad places to have been. Training, guts, experience, determination, love, are just a few paltry words for those days near Cambodia.

[@TallColdGlass]

Wow, what a top-shelf dude. Soft-spoken, clearly intelligent, humble, and ballsy. We're fortunate to have such people. For certain things could have been done better in Vietnam, but anybody who thinks that resisting the Communists wasn't worth doing ought maybe read The Gulag Archipelago by Alexandr Solzhenitsyn sometime. Learn what they did to their own citizens, nevermind their neighboring countries. The Chinese are doing some of that now with their Uyghur population, and the Russians are trying to do it again in Ukraine. Let's hope that the people getting trampled in those places have some guys like Joe Marm in their ranks.

[@dukeman7595]

Agreed, Vietnam and Korea broke the back of communism..

[@gabrielmolina8880]

TallColdGlass agreed agreed agreed

[@earlgeorge7573]

thank you for your service. Earl M George CPT IN Washington Pa.

[@zacharypeery4082]

I feel that the reason for the short citations is partly because the Medal of Honor was awarded much more frequently in those days, and the Medal had only recently been established by honest Abe Lincoln.

[@70stunes71]

Good man. All the medals we earned overseas were for our fellow countrymen and flag... any of us would gladly give them all, to have saved the lives of those we lost

[@bionicsjw]

Quite, unassuming and modest, yet willing to do what it takes. These qualities seem to be consistent with those who receive out highest award for valor.

[@peytonandrewyoung]

"Hey Colonel!"

[@peytonandrewyoung]

"I'll leave you alone, you leave me alone" Remember me? This is what I look like.

[@joesphmurphy4013]

COL Marm: nice seeing you again; Mr. (MSG) Murphy, 338th Med Bde, 79th ARCOM

[@peytonandrewyoung]

Oh hell ya!

[@TheTunaMaster]

my cousin james ray is still over there buried in a grave of his own making and then murdered in cold blood by his vietnamese captors .

[@TheTunaMaster]

and our government and all those veteran groups aint done shit to bring him back

[@adrianmeade6049]

Brave man indeed that piano is very annoying