On September 20th, 2024, Friends, Family and Post 240 Legionnaires gathered at Hico Hill Country Assisted Living in Hico, Texas to celebrate Navy Veteran & Legionnaire, Guy Tracey Marble’s 100th birthday. Post 240 Chaplain, Matt Hallgarth presented American Legion Certificate of Honor and Post 240 Vice Commander Charles Dotson, a Navy Veteran and talented artist, presented his framed artwork depiction of Seaman Marble’s PT Boat Squadron. TURNBOW-HIGGS American Legion Auxiliary Unit 240 President Martha Fredrickson and Post 240 Legionnaire, Walter Dotson were also present to congratulate and thank Guy Tracey Marble for his service to Nation, Community, and the American Legion.
Noticeably missing was TURNBOW-HIGGS American Legion Post 240’s Commander and Assisted Living and Nursing Home Visitation Chairman, Keith Fredrickson, who was unable to attend due to a previously scheduled obligation. Keith was the driving force in coordinating the event with Post 240 personnel and Empire-Tribune newspaper coverage by freelance writer Maci Guay. Seaman Marble is one of many Assisted Living Veterans Commander Fredrickson has connected with via the Post 240 American Legion Veteran Visitation program. During his November 2023 visit Commander Fredrickson presented Seaman Marble with an embroidered WWII Veteran Cap. “He showed it to everybody in the assisted living home,” Fredrickson said. “He is a great patriot, loves his country, and never misses a chance to celebrate America and its troops.”
Navy veteran and American Legion Post 240 Vice Commander, Charles Dotson said. “Seaman Marble is a very humble and friendly man. He is not one to brag about all the things he has done. For his age, he is extremely sharp.”
Guy Tracey Marble earned his American Legion Membership via his active-duty service in the US Navy during WWII. Following in the footsteps of an older brother, Guy enlisted in May of 1943. Upon completion of basic training, Marble attended 22 weeks of aviation radio training before beginning his work as an official radio operator. He was responsible for transmitting and receiving signals and messages aboard ships, aircraft and at shore facilities. The men working within the Naval communication system were called the “Nerves of the Navy” because of their vital roles in managing the connections within the branch. Without clear and quick communication, command, and control throughout the USN would be in disarray.
Marble was stationed in Corpus Christi, New Orleans, San Bruno, Hawaii and was in the vicinity of the Japanese island, Okinawa when the atomic bombs dropped on cities Nagasaki and Hiroshima. His awards include a War World II Victory Medal, an Asiatic-Pacific Area Ribbon and an American Area Campaign Medal.
A member of “Our Greatest Generation” Guy Tracey Marble is one of sixteen million patriotic men and women who departed the comfort and safety of home and family to actively serve in the US Military during WWII (1941-1945). We as a Nation are forever indebted to Guy Marble and his generation for their courage, dedication and sacrifice resulting in a WWII victory. Happy birthday Guy and thank you for your service.
“Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed buy so many, to so few”- Winston Churchill
American Legion Certificate of Honor & Vice Commander Dotson's painting depiction of Navy PT Boat.
Navy WWII Veteran Guy Marble
WWII Navy Veteran Guy Marble with PT Boat Painting by Vice Commander Charles Dotson
Post 240 Chaplain Mat Hallgarth presents American Legion Certificate of Honor..
MC of the event, Son-in-Law Bennie Hromodka congratulates Seaman Marble.
Bennie Hromodka introducing Legionnaires.
Seaman Marble with Chaplain Mat Hallgarth.
(L-R) MC Bennie Hromodka, Guy Marble, Chaplain Matt Hallgarth, Vice Commander, Charle Dotson and Legionnair Walter Dotson.
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