Donald R. Marshall was born on December 25, 1946, to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Marshall. His home of record is Brick, NJ. Donald had two younger siblings, Mary and John Patrick. The family moved from Newark, NJ, to the Cherry Quay section of Brick, NJ. Donald enlisted in the US Marine Corps after graduating from St. Joseph’s High School of Brick in 1966. He was a member of the first graduating class at the school, later renamed Monsignor Donovan High School. His school yearbook indicates he enjoyed ice hockey, water skiing and musicals. He was a member of the Spanish and Mission clubs.
Steve Gepp, the Athletic Director and physical education teacher at the school, remembers Donald as a member of the student council who contributed daily as a student council hall monitor and someone who always had a smile.
Marshall served in the US Marine Corps and attained the rank of Lance Corporal (LCPL). He received basic training and radio training at Parris Island, SC.
His parents recalled, at the time they learned of his death, that he spoke of going to Vietnam as early as his sophomore year in high school and remember his comment after enlisting: “I wonder why there is a shortage of radiomen.”
His dad, who was a Marine in the South Pacific during World War II, said his son had gone through three radios, one of them blown from his back, and had seen action eight times with the Third Battalion. They had served also in the Chu Lai and Tam Ky provinces. He had been in the war zone about six months before he was killed.
Early in September 1967, the parents of Marine Lance Corporal Donald Richard Marshall received a letter from their son’s superior officer commending him for his service in the war zone and especially for his “commendable attitude” and “spirit”. The two Marines worked together as radio operators in the fields of Quang Tin province, South Vietnam, near the border of North Vietnam.
The officer, 1LT John B. Robbins, said: “Your son is putting forth a great deal of effort under very adverse physical and mental conditions.”
Just three days later, the Marshall’s were notified that their son was killed in action by enemy fire on September 8, 1967. He was 20 years old. He is buried at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleums in Toms River, NJ.
There is a plaque in the chapel at Monsignor Donovan High School dedicated to Lawrence and his service to the country.
Sources: Anne Cullen (volunteer) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
