Biography

Colonel Walter J. Marm is inducted in to the Ranger Hall of Fame for exceptional valor and unwavering dedication to duty during his distinguished 30-year career. Upon graduation from Duquesne University in 1964, Colonel Marm enlisted in the Army. He completed Infantry Officer Candidate School; and the Ranger Course in 1965. He was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). While serving as a platoon leader, Colonel Marm (then 2d Lieutenant) demonstrated indomitable courage during a combat operation on November 14, 1965 in the vicinity of La Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam. His company was moving through the valley to relieve a friendly unit surrounded by an enemy force of estimated regimental size. Colonel Marm led his platoon through withering fire until they were finally forced to take cover. Realizing that his platoon could not hold very long and seeing four enemy soldiers moving into his position he moved quickly under fire and annihilated all four. Then seeing that his platoon was receiving intense fire from a concealed machinegun, he deliberately exposed himself to draw its fire. When he located its position, he attempted to destroy it with an antitank weapon. Although he inflicted casualties the weapon did not silence the enemy fire. Quickly disregarding the intense fire on him and his platoon, he charged thirty meters across open ground and hurled grenades into the enemy positions killing some of the eight insurgents manning it. Although severely wounded when his grenades were expended and armed only with a rifle, he continued the momentum of his assault on the positions and killed the remainder of the enemy. Colonel Marm’s selfless actions reduced the fire on his platoon, broke the enemy assault, and rallied his unit to continue toward the accomplishment of the mission. For his valorous actions, President Lynden Johnson awarded Colonel Marm the Medal of Honor on December 19, 1966. Colonel Marm’s gallantry on the battlefield and his extraordinary intrepidity at the risk of his life are in the highest traditions of the United Sates Army, and personify the spirit of the Ranger Creed. “Rangers Lead the Way”.