Mark James Alexander, Sr. Age 93, of Campbell.
Mark was born in Lawrence, Kansas January 23, 1911 amid a violet thunder storm. His parents were intelligent and gifted people who encouraged their children and created a strong family loyalty. Mark spent his boyhood hunting the unfenced fields and woodlands of rural Kansas with his three brothers. They all were expected to get good grades in school and usually complied.
Mark was working on his masters degree in Fine Arts at the University of Kansas in 1940 when he felt the war was eminent and decided to enlist as a private. At Fort Benning, Ga. 1st Lt. Mark Alexander met 2nd Lt. Mary Collins, a nurse, and romance bloomed. They were married in March 1942.
Mark volunteered for paratroopers and fought in Sicily and Italy as a Major in command of the 2nd Battalion, 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. He saw extensive combat in Sicily and Italy and was promoted to Lt. Col. before the D-Day jump into Normandy France. He received the following commadations: Silver Star, British Distinguished Service Order (DSO), the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart. He was severely wounded in Normandy.
Mark is survived by his wife Mary, his three children, Mary Jo Sparry, Mark James Alexander, Jr., and Don Philip Alexander. He is grandfather to John Sparry, Michael Sparry, Michael Mayes, Krissie Brown, David Alexander, Jeni Smith, Leigh Alexander and Nicholas Alexander and the great grandfather to Steele Smith, Faith Brown, and Daniella Sparry.
Mark was a Real Estate Broker. He moved to this area in 1947. He enjoyed the outdoors. He was an avid fly fisherman and painter of landscapes.
Mark was a man of principle, a success in all his endeavors. He was battle hardened but taught by example, love and giving. Even in his last days, he was giving comfort to others. Mark believed in God and looked forward to being reunited with loved ones who had already passed on. He will be greatly missed.
Funeral service May 26, 2004, 1pm at Oak Hill's Chapel of the Oaks. Burial private at Oak Hill Memorial Park. Arrangements by OAK HILL FUNERAL HOME. Published in San Jose Mercury News on May 23, 2004
WW2 citations:
Silver Star
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Unit: Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All-American", U.S. Army
Action: Citation unavailable.
Details: Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 3 (1944).
BRONZE STAR MEDAL (BSM)
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Unit: Executive Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All-American", U.S. Army
Action: Mark J. Alexander, O-411615, Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry, United States Army. For meritorious service in connection with military activities against the enemy for the period 20 September 1944 to 2 January 1945. Lieutenant Colonel Alexander, Base Commander, France, established now camps in France for the 82d Airborne Division while it was in combat in Holland.
He administered and organized the camps and accomplished the reception of troops in a highly efficient manner. Faced with numerous and complex problems and a meager staff from the United Kingdom Bases of the Division, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander executed the tremendous assignment with outstanding skill and initiative.
When the 82d Airborne Division was unexpectedly committed in Belgium his invaluable assistance helped expedite that unprecedented displacement of a reinforced Division into combat in less than 24 hours. After its departure, he operated the two Airborne camps for the successive tenancy of two Divisions, and an Army Headquarters.
His intelligent and determined efforts in a period of critical troop movements were material factors in the successes of the 82d Airborne Division and other major organizations which stopped the German surprise offensive in Belgium. Entered military service from Kansas.
Details: Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 35 (1945).
COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE
PURPLE HEART
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Unit: Executive Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All-American", U.S. Army
Action: For wounds received in action on 4 July 1944 in France.
Mark was born in Lawrence, Kansas January 23, 1911 amid a violet thunder storm. His parents were intelligent and gifted people who encouraged their children and created a strong family loyalty. Mark spent his boyhood hunting the unfenced fields and woodlands of rural Kansas with his three brothers. They all were expected to get good grades in school and usually complied.
Mark was working on his masters degree in Fine Arts at the University of Kansas in 1940 when he felt the war was eminent and decided to enlist as a private. At Fort Benning, Ga. 1st Lt. Mark Alexander met 2nd Lt. Mary Collins, a nurse, and romance bloomed. They were married in March 1942.
Mark volunteered for paratroopers and fought in Sicily and Italy as a Major in command of the 2nd Battalion, 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. He saw extensive combat in Sicily and Italy and was promoted to Lt. Col. before the D-Day jump into Normandy France. He received the following commadations: Silver Star, British Distinguished Service Order (DSO), the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart. He was severely wounded in Normandy.
Mark is survived by his wife Mary, his three children, Mary Jo Sparry, Mark James Alexander, Jr., and Don Philip Alexander. He is grandfather to John Sparry, Michael Sparry, Michael Mayes, Krissie Brown, David Alexander, Jeni Smith, Leigh Alexander and Nicholas Alexander and the great grandfather to Steele Smith, Faith Brown, and Daniella Sparry.
Mark was a Real Estate Broker. He moved to this area in 1947. He enjoyed the outdoors. He was an avid fly fisherman and painter of landscapes.
Mark was a man of principle, a success in all his endeavors. He was battle hardened but taught by example, love and giving. Even in his last days, he was giving comfort to others. Mark believed in God and looked forward to being reunited with loved ones who had already passed on. He will be greatly missed.
Funeral service May 26, 2004, 1pm at Oak Hill's Chapel of the Oaks. Burial private at Oak Hill Memorial Park. Arrangements by OAK HILL FUNERAL HOME. Published in San Jose Mercury News on May 23, 2004
WW2 citations:
Silver Star
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Unit: Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All-American", U.S. Army
Action: Citation unavailable.
Details: Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 3 (1944).
BRONZE STAR MEDAL (BSM)
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Unit: Executive Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All-American", U.S. Army
Action: Mark J. Alexander, O-411615, Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry, United States Army. For meritorious service in connection with military activities against the enemy for the period 20 September 1944 to 2 January 1945. Lieutenant Colonel Alexander, Base Commander, France, established now camps in France for the 82d Airborne Division while it was in combat in Holland.
He administered and organized the camps and accomplished the reception of troops in a highly efficient manner. Faced with numerous and complex problems and a meager staff from the United Kingdom Bases of the Division, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander executed the tremendous assignment with outstanding skill and initiative.
When the 82d Airborne Division was unexpectedly committed in Belgium his invaluable assistance helped expedite that unprecedented displacement of a reinforced Division into combat in less than 24 hours. After its departure, he operated the two Airborne camps for the successive tenancy of two Divisions, and an Army Headquarters.
His intelligent and determined efforts in a period of critical troop movements were material factors in the successes of the 82d Airborne Division and other major organizations which stopped the German surprise offensive in Belgium. Entered military service from Kansas.
Details: Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 35 (1945).
COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE
PURPLE HEART
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Unit: Executive Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All-American", U.S. Army
Action: For wounds received in action on 4 July 1944 in France.
Mark James Alexander, Sr. Age 93, of Campbell.
Mark was born in Lawrence, Kansas January 23, 1911 amid a violet thunder storm. His parents were intelligent and gifted people who encouraged their children and created a strong family loyalty. Mark spent his boyhood hunting the unfenced fields and woodlands of rural Kansas with his three brothers. They all were expected to get good grades in school and usually complied.
Mark was working on his masters degree in Fine Arts at the University of Kansas in 1940 when he felt the war was eminent and decided to enlist as a private. At Fort Benning, Ga. 1st Lt. Mark Alexander met 2nd Lt. Mary Collins, a nurse, and romance bloomed. They were married in March 1942.
Mark volunteered for paratroopers and fought in Sicily and Italy as a Major in command of the 2nd Battalion, 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. He saw extensive combat in Sicily and Italy and was promoted to Lt. Col. before the D-Day jump into Normandy France. He received the following commadations: Silver Star, British Distinguished Service Order (DSO), the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart. He was severely wounded in Normandy.
Mark is survived by his wife Mary, his three children, Mary Jo Sparry, Mark James Alexander, Jr., and Don Philip Alexander. He is grandfather to John Sparry, Michael Sparry, Michael Mayes, Krissie Brown, David Alexander, Jeni Smith, Leigh Alexander and Nicholas Alexander and the great grandfather to Steele Smith, Faith Brown, and Daniella Sparry.
Mark was a Real Estate Broker. He moved to this area in 1947. He enjoyed the outdoors. He was an avid fly fisherman and painter of landscapes.
Mark was a man of principle, a success in all his endeavors. He was battle hardened but taught by example, love and giving. Even in his last days, he was giving comfort to others. Mark believed in God and looked forward to being reunited with loved ones who had already passed on. He will be greatly missed.
Funeral service May 26, 2004, 1pm at Oak Hill's Chapel of the Oaks. Burial private at Oak Hill Memorial Park. Arrangements by OAK HILL FUNERAL HOME. Published in San Jose Mercury News on May 23, 2004
WW2 citations:
Silver Star
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Unit: Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All-American", U.S. Army
Action: Citation unavailable.
Details: Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 3 (1944).
BRONZE STAR MEDAL (BSM)
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Unit: Executive Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All-American", U.S. Army
Action: Mark J. Alexander, O-411615, Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry, United States Army. For meritorious service in connection with military activities against the enemy for the period 20 September 1944 to 2 January 1945. Lieutenant Colonel Alexander, Base Commander, France, established now camps in France for the 82d Airborne Division while it was in combat in Holland.
He administered and organized the camps and accomplished the reception of troops in a highly efficient manner. Faced with numerous and complex problems and a meager staff from the United Kingdom Bases of the Division, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander executed the tremendous assignment with outstanding skill and initiative.
When the 82d Airborne Division was unexpectedly committed in Belgium his invaluable assistance helped expedite that unprecedented displacement of a reinforced Division into combat in less than 24 hours. After its departure, he operated the two Airborne camps for the successive tenancy of two Divisions, and an Army Headquarters.
His intelligent and determined efforts in a period of critical troop movements were material factors in the successes of the 82d Airborne Division and other major organizations which stopped the German surprise offensive in Belgium. Entered military service from Kansas.
Details: Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 35 (1945).
COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE
PURPLE HEART
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Unit: Executive Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All-American", U.S. Army
Action: For wounds received in action on 4 July 1944 in France.
Mark was born in Lawrence, Kansas January 23, 1911 amid a violet thunder storm. His parents were intelligent and gifted people who encouraged their children and created a strong family loyalty. Mark spent his boyhood hunting the unfenced fields and woodlands of rural Kansas with his three brothers. They all were expected to get good grades in school and usually complied.
Mark was working on his masters degree in Fine Arts at the University of Kansas in 1940 when he felt the war was eminent and decided to enlist as a private. At Fort Benning, Ga. 1st Lt. Mark Alexander met 2nd Lt. Mary Collins, a nurse, and romance bloomed. They were married in March 1942.
Mark volunteered for paratroopers and fought in Sicily and Italy as a Major in command of the 2nd Battalion, 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. He saw extensive combat in Sicily and Italy and was promoted to Lt. Col. before the D-Day jump into Normandy France. He received the following commadations: Silver Star, British Distinguished Service Order (DSO), the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart. He was severely wounded in Normandy.
Mark is survived by his wife Mary, his three children, Mary Jo Sparry, Mark James Alexander, Jr., and Don Philip Alexander. He is grandfather to John Sparry, Michael Sparry, Michael Mayes, Krissie Brown, David Alexander, Jeni Smith, Leigh Alexander and Nicholas Alexander and the great grandfather to Steele Smith, Faith Brown, and Daniella Sparry.
Mark was a Real Estate Broker. He moved to this area in 1947. He enjoyed the outdoors. He was an avid fly fisherman and painter of landscapes.
Mark was a man of principle, a success in all his endeavors. He was battle hardened but taught by example, love and giving. Even in his last days, he was giving comfort to others. Mark believed in God and looked forward to being reunited with loved ones who had already passed on. He will be greatly missed.
Funeral service May 26, 2004, 1pm at Oak Hill's Chapel of the Oaks. Burial private at Oak Hill Memorial Park. Arrangements by OAK HILL FUNERAL HOME. Published in San Jose Mercury News on May 23, 2004
WW2 citations:
Silver Star
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Unit: Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All-American", U.S. Army
Action: Citation unavailable.
Details: Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 3 (1944).
BRONZE STAR MEDAL (BSM)
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Unit: Executive Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All-American", U.S. Army
Action: Mark J. Alexander, O-411615, Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry, United States Army. For meritorious service in connection with military activities against the enemy for the period 20 September 1944 to 2 January 1945. Lieutenant Colonel Alexander, Base Commander, France, established now camps in France for the 82d Airborne Division while it was in combat in Holland.
He administered and organized the camps and accomplished the reception of troops in a highly efficient manner. Faced with numerous and complex problems and a meager staff from the United Kingdom Bases of the Division, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander executed the tremendous assignment with outstanding skill and initiative.
When the 82d Airborne Division was unexpectedly committed in Belgium his invaluable assistance helped expedite that unprecedented displacement of a reinforced Division into combat in less than 24 hours. After its departure, he operated the two Airborne camps for the successive tenancy of two Divisions, and an Army Headquarters.
His intelligent and determined efforts in a period of critical troop movements were material factors in the successes of the 82d Airborne Division and other major organizations which stopped the German surprise offensive in Belgium. Entered military service from Kansas.
Details: Headquarters 82nd Airborne Division, General Orders No. 35 (1945).
COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE
PURPLE HEART
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Unit: Executive Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All-American", U.S. Army
Action: For wounds received in action on 4 July 1944 in France.
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