Mark William Spitz

Master Sergeant / US Army, Retired.  Age 68 years.  Born to life in Milwaukee December 1, 1952, son of Robert Spitz and RoseMarie (nee Godar) Spitz.  Born to eternal life May 14, 2021 at his Waldo, Wisconsin home surrounded by loving family.  Beloved husband of Shirley (nee Epperly) for 45 years.  Dear father of Jeni (Dan) Hoadley, Chad (Jenn) Spitz, and Jami (Devin) Nowak.  Loving grandfather of Tasha, Jacob, Cameron, Connor, Finley, and Payton.  Brother of the late Samantha, Roberta, Bruce (Cindy), Debbie (Tony) Mussel, David (Hope), Trudy, Theresa (Rich) Blust, and Ed (Sally) Spitz.  Further survived by other loving family and friends.  Mark was preceded in death by his parents Bob and RoseMarie, in laws Floyd and Nellie Epperly, sister Samantha, granddaughter Casey, and brother in law Don Evans.

Visitation Thursday, May 20, 2021 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 115 Plymouth Street, Plymouth, WI from 4:00 PM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 6:30 PM.  Military Honors following Mass.

A special thank you to Dr. Liang, the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic, Sheboygan Memorial Hospital, and Compassus Hospice for their compassionate care of Mark.

MARK WILLIAM SPITZ - MILITARY CAREER

Mark began his military career enlisting into the Marine Corps in the delayed entry program on May 25, 1970.  Mark shipped out from Mitchell Airport to Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, CA on the evening of August 30, 1970.  The bus ride from the airport to the Depot was short and all too soon he was stepping onto famous yellow foot prints, awaiting his first Marine Corp Hair Cut.  The next 16 weeks consisted of basic training, advanced infantry training and cook/baker school.  In January 1970, Mark received orders for his first real duty station, Vietnam.  The transport plane stopped short in Okinawa where he became the specialist in charge of ordering, distributing and inventory of all food for a battalion size mess hall on Camp Hansen, with the 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division.  His unit moved from Okinawa to Mount Fuji, Japan for cold weather training, back to Okinawa and on to Subic Bay, Philippains,  His unit was then ordered to ship.  While at sea Mark served on the USS Duluth (a helicopter carrier), the USS Schenectady (an equipment Carrier), and the USS Missipanation (a supply ship). the next three months were spent at seas with a 30 day tour off the coast of Vietnam, followed by visiting many ports in Southeast Asia, before Mark returned to Okinawa. He then rotated back to the United States after achieving the rank of Corporal. He was stationed at 29 Palms, California for the rest of his tour. Returning home via a 1954 Ford on August 31st 1971, Mark vowed to never don a uniform again. 

Breaking that vow, Mark was inducted into the Wisconsin Army National Guard, Charlie Battery1st Battalion 121st Field Artillery on April 20th 1982. He served as a Fire Direction Specialist, being promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and Chief of Fire Direction. In January 1986, Mark spent 30 days in Germany during REFORGER (Return of Forcers to Germany) with the 32nd Brigade. September 2nd 1986, he was assigned to HHB 1st Battalion 121st Field Artillery as a Full Time Active Guard Reserve (AGR)/Training NCO in the position of Battalion Fire Direction Sergeant. In 1988 Mark received the rank of Sergeant First Class and was assigned to full time duty as Readiness NCO and the duty position of Fire Support Sergeant. In 1997, Mark was transferred to the 57th Field Artillery Brigade and in August of that year, promoted to Master Sergeant and served as the Brigade Intelligence NCO until April 2000. He served for 1 year as the HHB 57th Brigade 1st Sergeant, during which he took his Battery to Germany for 23 days participating in the 5th Army Warfighter. He returned to HHS 1st Bn 121st FA as the Operations Sergeant and assisted the battalion in completing it's transformation from 155MM Howitzers to Multiple Launcher Rockets System (MLRS).

Concurrent with Mark's military career, he has served as a member of the Wisconsin National Guard Enlisted Association and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States. Mark has been on the membership committee and has served as the Vice-President and President. He is currently serving on the Executive Council as current Past President. Mark also sits on the National Executive Council as Area V Director representing eight states with direct responsibility to Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan.

Mark officially started his retirement on May 1st 2004 after 24 years of military duty.

FEDERAL AWARDS

Meritorious Service Medal Army Accommodation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster 

Army Achievement Medal

Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal

Army Service Ribbon

Vietnam Service Medal with Star

Good Conduct Medal (USMC)

Good Conduct Medal (ARMY) 5th Award

National Defense Service Medal

Armed Forces Reserve Medal 2nd Award

Non Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 3

Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon

STATE AWARDS

Wisconsin National Guard Write Medal 16th award

Wisconsin National Guard Service Ribbon 3rd award

Wisconsin National Guard Emergency Service Ribbon 1st award

Driver and Mechanics Badge (Driver - T)

OTHER AWARDS

Honorable Order of Saint Barbara

MAJ Richard I. Bong Memorial Award