1LT Mark Henry Rivest (KIA)
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Lt and 2nd Platoon Leader
Photo taken Thanksgiving 69 and submitted by Dan Albrecht
PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Springfield, MA
Race: Caucasian
Religion: Roman Catholic
Marital Status: Single
Date of birth: 04/07/1946
MILITARY DATA
Service: Army of the United States
Grade at loss: O2
Rank: First Lieutenant
ID No: 031344563
MOS: 31542: Infantry Unit Commander (Special Forces Qual)
Unit: CCC, MACV-SOG, 5TH SF GROUP, USARV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: 10/11/1969
Incident Date: 06/04/1970
Casualty Date: 06/04/1970
Age at Loss: 24
Location: Laos
Remains: Body recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died outright
Casualty Reason: Ground casualty
Casualty Detail: Gun or small arms fire
Family:
Father’s Name: Paul H. Rivest
Mother’s Name: Catherine E. (Donovan) Rivest
Sibling Names: Peter, Christopher, Michelle
Education:
Grammar School: Lambert Lavoie School, Chicopee, Massachusetts
High School: Cathedral High School, Springfield, Massachusetts
Diploma: 1964
College: Attended Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Selective Service Data:
SSS Local Board Number: 77
SSS Local Board Location: Chicopee, Massachusetts
Military Service Record:
Entry Date: March 26, 1968
Entry Mode: Enlistment
Entry Location: Springfield, Massachusetts
Home Of Record: Springfield, Massachusetts
Military Branch: Army
Military Component: Reserve
Rank: 1LT
Pay Grade: O2
MOS: 31542 (as recorded in the Southeast Asia CACCF)
MOS Title: Infantry Unit Commander
MOS Background:
The title commander doesn’t mean that LT Rivest was in fact the unit commander, but that he was an officer qualified for a leadership position in that type of unit and could have been a commander. 31542 is an invalid or unofficial MOS. As a Special Forces type, he probably was a 1542.
Silver Star Medal; Bronze Star Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; Bronze Star Medal with “V” device; Army Commendation Medal; Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal
Badges Earned:
Parachute Badge; Expert Badge with Rifle Bar and Pistol Bar
Southeast Asia Tour Data:
Date Tour Commenced: October 11, 1969
Major Command: 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
Sub Command 1: 1st Special Forces
Sub Command 2: SOA (Special Operations Augmentation) CCC (Command and Control Central)
Army Campaign Number: 11th
Army Campaign Name: Summer – Fall 1969
Burial/Memorial:
Burial Location: Saint Rose DeLima of Chicopee Cemetery in Chicopee, Massachusetts
Burial Date: June 18, 1970
Consigned Funeral Home: Fleury Funeral Home, Chicopee, Massachusetts
Escort Name: CPT Art M. Dello-Russo, USA (personal friend from 5th Special Forces)
Springfield 50 Casualty Order: 43rd
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Panel Number: 09W
Line Number: 9
Information from Steve Judycki
“Mark, I called your family when I got home, as I promised. When I called again you were gone forever. I miss you forever.”
“Remembering—still think of you after all these years—wish we could have continued our friendship here back in the world—you were one hell of a guy”
“Mark my brother, though you’ve been gone many years, the pain and loss never go away. Writing this now, I’m near to tears as I remember you and how much you meant to me as we grew up. Always your shadow, sometimes a sibling rival, never will I forget you. Happy Birthday! April 7th, 2006”
“Mark, My Friend: It has been 36 years since I escorted you home to your grieving family. I know that I have kept my word, in that I’ve never forgotten you. My wife and adult children have known your spirit and of our friendships all of their lives, and all my grandchildren, of which we now have four, will also know of your bravery, kind spirit and pride you had in being a Special Forces Officer….”
Cpt.5th Special Forces Gp.Abn
MAC V SOG
“I was a warehouse specialist and had the pleasure to know Mark when he was with the 1st of the 502nd 101st air mobile. I got to know him pretty well and the week before he transferred to the special forces unit, he kept bugging me for a pair of jump boots that I had been polishing to a spit shine, that happened to be his size, so he could wear them when he reported to the special forces unit, in style. I kept telling him no, but as you know Mark, he was pretty persistent and in the final day of his departure, I relinquished the boots to him because he was such a good person and treated me with respect. I have never forgotten Mark for his kindness and wish Mark peace in heaven.”
“Mark, most of us at Cathedral likely knew nothing of this memorial, but you’re always remembered when any of us think about ‘good people’ and good memories. The nuns have you in their prayers and all of us who knew you in WMass – the Poles from Chicopee, the Irish from Hungry Hill, the paisons from South End, and the crazy crew of mixed-misfits from the “X” and Forest Park – keep you in our hearts and memories when the flag is raised. High Salute and Semper Fi, Mark.
“To Sir, with Love…
Such a long time ago that I had those words engraved into a lighter, so that you could read them until you started to hear: “Yes, Sir.” Such a long time ago since we sat in Bill’s apartment exploring each other’s minds. Oh, that we could do that once more. But no time has passed that I have not thought you, prayed for you and talked with you. It is very nice to be able to read the things written here by those who also loved you. May we meet again in that place where life does not end. Little sister, Michelle…if you read this, please get in touch with me as I would very much like to have an opportunity to talk you.”
Jane Mourer, RN
Accommodation Coordinator/CC Screening Nurse
e-mail: [email protected]
(800) 424-8580. Opt.2, Ext. 1504
Fax: (202) 692-1561
after March 1, I will be retired and can be reached at [email protected]. My phone number is (703) 477-9487.
If you have memories of Mark that you would like posted on this page, please email the webmaster
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