In Memory of
Staff Sergeant – Air Corps.
Howard L. Marquardt
Badger, South Dakota
Kingsbury County
September 6, 1917 – 1942
Killed in Action
Howard L. Marquardt was born on September 6, 1917. He was born in Badger, South Dakota. His parents were Paul and Martha Marquardt of Badger, and he had one brother, Lt. Lloyd. He started school at Port Angeles, Washington, in 1924. He completed the eighth grade in 1930. He went on to graduate from Arlington High School in 1934. He was in the Civilian Conservation Corps one year and became interested in aviation. Following that, he joined the Army Air Corps at Chanute Field, Illinois, on November 25, 1939. In 1940 he arrived at Hickam Field, Hawaii, where he completed a course in round school mechanics.
When the Japanese attacked the United States on December 7, 1941, Howard was on duty. He became slightly wounded from shrapnel and was cited by his commanding officer. Only three days after that attack his squadron moved to Maui Island. There he was assigned to patrol duty and reconnaissance flying. He also participated in the first raid on Wake Island, and in the battle of Midway he was again wounded. They again cited his crew for a direct hit on a Jap aircraft carrier and a cruiser.
During the time of his accident he was a flight engineer on a B-17 bomber.
Howard had one golden rule:
“Do unto others as you would like others to do unto you.”
This entry was respectfully submitted by Bobbi Jo Nesseim, 8th Grade, De Smet Middle School, De Smet, South Dakota, March 20, 2002. Information for this entry was provided by Mrs. Paula Fonder, Arlington, South Dakota, niece of Staff Sgt. – Air Corps Howard L. Marquardt.
