In Memory of….. 2LT Mark Stephen Steiner.
*** Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 4th Artillery, 9th Infantry Division, Vietnam, Forward Officer assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Distinguished Service Cross.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
MARK STEPHEN STEINER - Army - 2LT - O1
Age: 20
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Nov 11, 1948
From: OGDEN, UT
Religion: PRESBYTERIAN
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, Samuel Steiner and Mother, , both of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has NO children.
***** OGDENITE DIES OF WOUNDS IN VIETNAM WAR An Ogden man, Army 2nd Lt. Mark S. Steiner, 20, has been killed in combat in Vietnam. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Steiner, formerly of Ogden and now of Albuquerque, N. M., were notified of then: son's death on Tuesday: He had been in Vietnam 10 weeks. Lt. Steiner was a graduate of Ben Lomond High School and attended the University of Utah before going into the Army. He received his officer's bars from Officers Candidate School at Fort Sill, Okla. No details regarding funeral services were available at press time today.
***** Award Made For Heroism - A 1966 graduate of Ben Lomond High School has been awarded posthumously the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in Vietnam where he was mortally wounded. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Steiner now of Albuquerque N' M., and formerly of Ogden, received the second highest combat decoration on behalf of their son, Army 2nd .Lt.. Mark S. Steiner, at ceremonies at Sandia Base, N M. He was on a RECONNAISANCE MISSION At the time of his death, Lt. Steiner was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Division as an artillery observer on a reconnaissance- in-force mission near Tan Tru, Long. An Province.
***** Mark, Billy Twitty, and I flew over together joked and made light of the situation, as nervous 2nd Lts would do. I think of Mark quite often,and am glad to be able to have called him my friend.
John Cassel
***** I first met Mark at Tan An. He was new in country. I came into his quarters from a long day in the field. He asked what it was like as a forward observor. I told him what a great company I worked for. The next day he asked the Battalion Commander if he could be my replacement. We worked together a couple of weeks before I went to my new assignment. Mark was a fine young man. I think of him often. His family can be extremely proud of him. I thank my God on every remembrance of him.
Charley Crabtree
***** In OCS class 1-68 together. He was at my wedding - 3 days before graduation. We stayed at Ft Sill after graduation...he awating RVN orders and me for Flt School orders. Both had new Firebirds...his a '68, mine a '67. We both left Sill in mid '68.
Al Meyer
***** I was a young green F/O getting broken in with another company on that fateful day. When Mark went down they inserted me as a back-up F/O and fortunately I was able to make contact with an Air Force spotter who directed his jets to bomb that wood-line. And knowing that Mark was there they left him unscathed while completely destroying the woods. Mark truly put his life on the line that day in support of his brothers in arms.
Michael D. Morris
***** Mark Stephen Steiner was born on Armistice Day, November 11, 1948 (Veterans Day was so named in 1954). His hometown was Ogden, Utah. At just 19 years old, he graduated from Officer Candidates' School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army's artillery branch in 1968. He arrived for combat in Vietnam (click the "full profile" link at this page) on September 12, 1968 and joined Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment, then part of the 9th Infantry Division.
Just thirteen days after his 20th birthday, Lieutenant Steiner was attached as a forward observer to the 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment. Steiner was with 2-60's Company A on a reconnaissance-in-force mission in the Long An province in Vietnam's Mekong Delta on November 24, 1968 when the infantry came under heavy fire from a fortified communist enemy force. He set aside his role as a gunner and engaged the enemy directly to protect the wounded soldiers around him. His courage in the face of the enemy inspired the soldiers around him to attack.
The young lieutenant was cut down by the enemy, and his gallantry was posthumously recognized with the second-highest award the Army could grant: the Distinguished Service Cross.
Allan Bourdius
2LT - O1 - Army - Reserve
Length of service 0 years
His tour began on Sep 12, 1968
Casualty was on Nov 24, 1968
MILITARY DATA:
Service: Army of the United States
Grade at loss: O1
Rank: Second Lieutenant
ID No: O5433916
MOS: 1193: Field Artillery Unit Commander
Length Service: 00
Unit: C BTRY, 2ND BN, 4TH ARTILLERY, 9TH INF DIV, USARV
CASUALTY DATA:
Start Tour: 09/12/1968
Incident Date: 11/24/1968
Casualty Date: 11/24/1968
Age at Loss: 20
Location: Long An Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died outright
Casualty Reason: Ground casualty
Casualty Detail: Gun or small arms fire
In LONG AN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Panel 38W - Line 53
On November 24, 1968 2LT Mark Stephen Steiner, at the age of 20 years old, became a ground casualty.
While serving as an artillery forward observer on a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Tan Tru, Long An Province. The point element of Lieutenant Steiner's platoon suddenly came under intense automatic weapons fire from a bunker hidden in a woodline, and several men were wounded by the initial volley.
Realizing that artillery support might be needed, Lieutenant Steiner moved forward through the withering enemy barrage and discovered that two casualties and the medic who was treating them were completely unprotected.
He immediately secured a grenade launcher and began applying suppressive fire while maneuvering towards the aggressors. Inspired by his courage, a machine gun crew joined him as he advanced to within a few feet of the hostile stronghold. Further exposing himself to the communists' fusillade, Lieutenant Steiner attempted to fire his pistol into the bunker and, when the weapon failed to fire, hurled a grenade into the structure's gun port which killed the enemy within.
Fire then erupted from a previously undetected bunker located behind him, killing two men.
Realizing that his comrades were in grave danger, Lieutenant Steiner turned and opened fire on the second emplacement to enable the others to reach cover.
As he fearlessly engaged the enemy, he was mortally wounded by hostile fire.
His body was recovered.
********************************************
Fort Sill Artillery OCS Class 1B-68
Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army
Company A, 2d Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division
Date of Action: November 24, 1968
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Mark Stephen Steiner, Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Steiner distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 November 1968 while serving as an artillery forward observer on a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Tan Tru, Long An Province. The point element of Lieutenant Steiner's platoon suddenly came under intense automatic weapons fire from a bunker hidden in a woodline, and several men were wounded by the initial volley. Realizing that artillery support might be needed, Lieutenant Steiner moved forward through the withering enemy barrage and discovered that two casualties and the medic who was treating them were completely unprotected. He immediately secured a grenade launcher and began applying suppressive fire while maneuvering towards the aggressors. Inspired by his courage, a machine gun crew joined him as he advanced to within a few feet of the hostile stronghold. Further exposing himself to the communists' fusillade, Lieutenant Steiner attempted to fire his pistol into the bunker and, when the weapon failed to fire, hurled a grenade into the structure's gun port which killed the enemy within. Fire then erupted from a previously undetected bunker located behind him, killing two men. Realizing that his comrades were in grave danger, Lieutenant Steiner turned and opened fire on the second emplacement to enable the others to reach cover. As he fearlessly engaged the enemy, he was mortally wounded by hostile fire. Second Lieutenant Steiner's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
*********************************************
.
*** Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 4th Artillery, 9th Infantry Division, Vietnam, Forward Officer assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Distinguished Service Cross.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
MARK STEPHEN STEINER - Army - 2LT - O1
Age: 20
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Nov 11, 1948
From: OGDEN, UT
Religion: PRESBYTERIAN
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, Samuel Steiner and Mother, , both of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has NO children.
***** OGDENITE DIES OF WOUNDS IN VIETNAM WAR An Ogden man, Army 2nd Lt. Mark S. Steiner, 20, has been killed in combat in Vietnam. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Steiner, formerly of Ogden and now of Albuquerque, N. M., were notified of then: son's death on Tuesday: He had been in Vietnam 10 weeks. Lt. Steiner was a graduate of Ben Lomond High School and attended the University of Utah before going into the Army. He received his officer's bars from Officers Candidate School at Fort Sill, Okla. No details regarding funeral services were available at press time today.
***** Award Made For Heroism - A 1966 graduate of Ben Lomond High School has been awarded posthumously the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in Vietnam where he was mortally wounded. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Steiner now of Albuquerque N' M., and formerly of Ogden, received the second highest combat decoration on behalf of their son, Army 2nd .Lt.. Mark S. Steiner, at ceremonies at Sandia Base, N M. He was on a RECONNAISANCE MISSION At the time of his death, Lt. Steiner was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Division as an artillery observer on a reconnaissance- in-force mission near Tan Tru, Long. An Province.
***** Mark, Billy Twitty, and I flew over together joked and made light of the situation, as nervous 2nd Lts would do. I think of Mark quite often,and am glad to be able to have called him my friend.
John Cassel
***** I first met Mark at Tan An. He was new in country. I came into his quarters from a long day in the field. He asked what it was like as a forward observor. I told him what a great company I worked for. The next day he asked the Battalion Commander if he could be my replacement. We worked together a couple of weeks before I went to my new assignment. Mark was a fine young man. I think of him often. His family can be extremely proud of him. I thank my God on every remembrance of him.
Charley Crabtree
***** In OCS class 1-68 together. He was at my wedding - 3 days before graduation. We stayed at Ft Sill after graduation...he awating RVN orders and me for Flt School orders. Both had new Firebirds...his a '68, mine a '67. We both left Sill in mid '68.
Al Meyer
***** I was a young green F/O getting broken in with another company on that fateful day. When Mark went down they inserted me as a back-up F/O and fortunately I was able to make contact with an Air Force spotter who directed his jets to bomb that wood-line. And knowing that Mark was there they left him unscathed while completely destroying the woods. Mark truly put his life on the line that day in support of his brothers in arms.
Michael D. Morris
***** Mark Stephen Steiner was born on Armistice Day, November 11, 1948 (Veterans Day was so named in 1954). His hometown was Ogden, Utah. At just 19 years old, he graduated from Officer Candidates' School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army's artillery branch in 1968. He arrived for combat in Vietnam (click the "full profile" link at this page) on September 12, 1968 and joined Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment, then part of the 9th Infantry Division.
Just thirteen days after his 20th birthday, Lieutenant Steiner was attached as a forward observer to the 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment. Steiner was with 2-60's Company A on a reconnaissance-in-force mission in the Long An province in Vietnam's Mekong Delta on November 24, 1968 when the infantry came under heavy fire from a fortified communist enemy force. He set aside his role as a gunner and engaged the enemy directly to protect the wounded soldiers around him. His courage in the face of the enemy inspired the soldiers around him to attack.
The young lieutenant was cut down by the enemy, and his gallantry was posthumously recognized with the second-highest award the Army could grant: the Distinguished Service Cross.
Allan Bourdius
2LT - O1 - Army - Reserve
Length of service 0 years
His tour began on Sep 12, 1968
Casualty was on Nov 24, 1968
MILITARY DATA:
Service: Army of the United States
Grade at loss: O1
Rank: Second Lieutenant
ID No: O5433916
MOS: 1193: Field Artillery Unit Commander
Length Service: 00
Unit: C BTRY, 2ND BN, 4TH ARTILLERY, 9TH INF DIV, USARV
CASUALTY DATA:
Start Tour: 09/12/1968
Incident Date: 11/24/1968
Casualty Date: 11/24/1968
Age at Loss: 20
Location: Long An Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died outright
Casualty Reason: Ground casualty
Casualty Detail: Gun or small arms fire
In LONG AN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Panel 38W - Line 53
On November 24, 1968 2LT Mark Stephen Steiner, at the age of 20 years old, became a ground casualty.
While serving as an artillery forward observer on a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Tan Tru, Long An Province. The point element of Lieutenant Steiner's platoon suddenly came under intense automatic weapons fire from a bunker hidden in a woodline, and several men were wounded by the initial volley.
Realizing that artillery support might be needed, Lieutenant Steiner moved forward through the withering enemy barrage and discovered that two casualties and the medic who was treating them were completely unprotected.
He immediately secured a grenade launcher and began applying suppressive fire while maneuvering towards the aggressors. Inspired by his courage, a machine gun crew joined him as he advanced to within a few feet of the hostile stronghold. Further exposing himself to the communists' fusillade, Lieutenant Steiner attempted to fire his pistol into the bunker and, when the weapon failed to fire, hurled a grenade into the structure's gun port which killed the enemy within.
Fire then erupted from a previously undetected bunker located behind him, killing two men.
Realizing that his comrades were in grave danger, Lieutenant Steiner turned and opened fire on the second emplacement to enable the others to reach cover.
As he fearlessly engaged the enemy, he was mortally wounded by hostile fire.
His body was recovered.
********************************************
Fort Sill Artillery OCS Class 1B-68
Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army
Company A, 2d Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division
Date of Action: November 24, 1968
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Mark Stephen Steiner, Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Steiner distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 November 1968 while serving as an artillery forward observer on a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Tan Tru, Long An Province. The point element of Lieutenant Steiner's platoon suddenly came under intense automatic weapons fire from a bunker hidden in a woodline, and several men were wounded by the initial volley. Realizing that artillery support might be needed, Lieutenant Steiner moved forward through the withering enemy barrage and discovered that two casualties and the medic who was treating them were completely unprotected. He immediately secured a grenade launcher and began applying suppressive fire while maneuvering towards the aggressors. Inspired by his courage, a machine gun crew joined him as he advanced to within a few feet of the hostile stronghold. Further exposing himself to the communists' fusillade, Lieutenant Steiner attempted to fire his pistol into the bunker and, when the weapon failed to fire, hurled a grenade into the structure's gun port which killed the enemy within. Fire then erupted from a previously undetected bunker located behind him, killing two men. Realizing that his comrades were in grave danger, Lieutenant Steiner turned and opened fire on the second emplacement to enable the others to reach cover. As he fearlessly engaged the enemy, he was mortally wounded by hostile fire. Second Lieutenant Steiner's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
*********************************************
.
In Memory of….. 2LT Mark Stephen Steiner.
*** Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 4th Artillery, 9th Infantry Division, Vietnam, Forward Officer assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Distinguished Service Cross.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
MARK STEPHEN STEINER - Army - 2LT - O1
Age: 20
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Nov 11, 1948
From: OGDEN, UT
Religion: PRESBYTERIAN
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, Samuel Steiner and Mother, , both of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has NO children.
***** OGDENITE DIES OF WOUNDS IN VIETNAM WAR An Ogden man, Army 2nd Lt. Mark S. Steiner, 20, has been killed in combat in Vietnam. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Steiner, formerly of Ogden and now of Albuquerque, N. M., were notified of then: son's death on Tuesday: He had been in Vietnam 10 weeks. Lt. Steiner was a graduate of Ben Lomond High School and attended the University of Utah before going into the Army. He received his officer's bars from Officers Candidate School at Fort Sill, Okla. No details regarding funeral services were available at press time today.
***** Award Made For Heroism - A 1966 graduate of Ben Lomond High School has been awarded posthumously the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in Vietnam where he was mortally wounded. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Steiner now of Albuquerque N' M., and formerly of Ogden, received the second highest combat decoration on behalf of their son, Army 2nd .Lt.. Mark S. Steiner, at ceremonies at Sandia Base, N M. He was on a RECONNAISANCE MISSION At the time of his death, Lt. Steiner was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Division as an artillery observer on a reconnaissance- in-force mission near Tan Tru, Long. An Province.
***** Mark, Billy Twitty, and I flew over together joked and made light of the situation, as nervous 2nd Lts would do. I think of Mark quite often,and am glad to be able to have called him my friend.
John Cassel
***** I first met Mark at Tan An. He was new in country. I came into his quarters from a long day in the field. He asked what it was like as a forward observor. I told him what a great company I worked for. The next day he asked the Battalion Commander if he could be my replacement. We worked together a couple of weeks before I went to my new assignment. Mark was a fine young man. I think of him often. His family can be extremely proud of him. I thank my God on every remembrance of him.
Charley Crabtree
***** In OCS class 1-68 together. He was at my wedding - 3 days before graduation. We stayed at Ft Sill after graduation...he awating RVN orders and me for Flt School orders. Both had new Firebirds...his a '68, mine a '67. We both left Sill in mid '68.
Al Meyer
***** I was a young green F/O getting broken in with another company on that fateful day. When Mark went down they inserted me as a back-up F/O and fortunately I was able to make contact with an Air Force spotter who directed his jets to bomb that wood-line. And knowing that Mark was there they left him unscathed while completely destroying the woods. Mark truly put his life on the line that day in support of his brothers in arms.
Michael D. Morris
***** Mark Stephen Steiner was born on Armistice Day, November 11, 1948 (Veterans Day was so named in 1954). His hometown was Ogden, Utah. At just 19 years old, he graduated from Officer Candidates' School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army's artillery branch in 1968. He arrived for combat in Vietnam (click the "full profile" link at this page) on September 12, 1968 and joined Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment, then part of the 9th Infantry Division.
Just thirteen days after his 20th birthday, Lieutenant Steiner was attached as a forward observer to the 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment. Steiner was with 2-60's Company A on a reconnaissance-in-force mission in the Long An province in Vietnam's Mekong Delta on November 24, 1968 when the infantry came under heavy fire from a fortified communist enemy force. He set aside his role as a gunner and engaged the enemy directly to protect the wounded soldiers around him. His courage in the face of the enemy inspired the soldiers around him to attack.
The young lieutenant was cut down by the enemy, and his gallantry was posthumously recognized with the second-highest award the Army could grant: the Distinguished Service Cross.
Allan Bourdius
2LT - O1 - Army - Reserve
Length of service 0 years
His tour began on Sep 12, 1968
Casualty was on Nov 24, 1968
MILITARY DATA:
Service: Army of the United States
Grade at loss: O1
Rank: Second Lieutenant
ID No: O5433916
MOS: 1193: Field Artillery Unit Commander
Length Service: 00
Unit: C BTRY, 2ND BN, 4TH ARTILLERY, 9TH INF DIV, USARV
CASUALTY DATA:
Start Tour: 09/12/1968
Incident Date: 11/24/1968
Casualty Date: 11/24/1968
Age at Loss: 20
Location: Long An Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died outright
Casualty Reason: Ground casualty
Casualty Detail: Gun or small arms fire
In LONG AN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Panel 38W - Line 53
On November 24, 1968 2LT Mark Stephen Steiner, at the age of 20 years old, became a ground casualty.
While serving as an artillery forward observer on a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Tan Tru, Long An Province. The point element of Lieutenant Steiner's platoon suddenly came under intense automatic weapons fire from a bunker hidden in a woodline, and several men were wounded by the initial volley.
Realizing that artillery support might be needed, Lieutenant Steiner moved forward through the withering enemy barrage and discovered that two casualties and the medic who was treating them were completely unprotected.
He immediately secured a grenade launcher and began applying suppressive fire while maneuvering towards the aggressors. Inspired by his courage, a machine gun crew joined him as he advanced to within a few feet of the hostile stronghold. Further exposing himself to the communists' fusillade, Lieutenant Steiner attempted to fire his pistol into the bunker and, when the weapon failed to fire, hurled a grenade into the structure's gun port which killed the enemy within.
Fire then erupted from a previously undetected bunker located behind him, killing two men.
Realizing that his comrades were in grave danger, Lieutenant Steiner turned and opened fire on the second emplacement to enable the others to reach cover.
As he fearlessly engaged the enemy, he was mortally wounded by hostile fire.
His body was recovered.
********************************************
Fort Sill Artillery OCS Class 1B-68
Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army
Company A, 2d Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division
Date of Action: November 24, 1968
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Mark Stephen Steiner, Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Steiner distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 November 1968 while serving as an artillery forward observer on a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Tan Tru, Long An Province. The point element of Lieutenant Steiner's platoon suddenly came under intense automatic weapons fire from a bunker hidden in a woodline, and several men were wounded by the initial volley. Realizing that artillery support might be needed, Lieutenant Steiner moved forward through the withering enemy barrage and discovered that two casualties and the medic who was treating them were completely unprotected. He immediately secured a grenade launcher and began applying suppressive fire while maneuvering towards the aggressors. Inspired by his courage, a machine gun crew joined him as he advanced to within a few feet of the hostile stronghold. Further exposing himself to the communists' fusillade, Lieutenant Steiner attempted to fire his pistol into the bunker and, when the weapon failed to fire, hurled a grenade into the structure's gun port which killed the enemy within. Fire then erupted from a previously undetected bunker located behind him, killing two men. Realizing that his comrades were in grave danger, Lieutenant Steiner turned and opened fire on the second emplacement to enable the others to reach cover. As he fearlessly engaged the enemy, he was mortally wounded by hostile fire. Second Lieutenant Steiner's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
*********************************************
.
*** Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 4th Artillery, 9th Infantry Division, Vietnam, Forward Officer assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Distinguished Service Cross.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
MARK STEPHEN STEINER - Army - 2LT - O1
Age: 20
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Nov 11, 1948
From: OGDEN, UT
Religion: PRESBYTERIAN
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, Samuel Steiner and Mother, , both of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has NO children.
***** OGDENITE DIES OF WOUNDS IN VIETNAM WAR An Ogden man, Army 2nd Lt. Mark S. Steiner, 20, has been killed in combat in Vietnam. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Steiner, formerly of Ogden and now of Albuquerque, N. M., were notified of then: son's death on Tuesday: He had been in Vietnam 10 weeks. Lt. Steiner was a graduate of Ben Lomond High School and attended the University of Utah before going into the Army. He received his officer's bars from Officers Candidate School at Fort Sill, Okla. No details regarding funeral services were available at press time today.
***** Award Made For Heroism - A 1966 graduate of Ben Lomond High School has been awarded posthumously the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in Vietnam where he was mortally wounded. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Steiner now of Albuquerque N' M., and formerly of Ogden, received the second highest combat decoration on behalf of their son, Army 2nd .Lt.. Mark S. Steiner, at ceremonies at Sandia Base, N M. He was on a RECONNAISANCE MISSION At the time of his death, Lt. Steiner was assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Division as an artillery observer on a reconnaissance- in-force mission near Tan Tru, Long. An Province.
***** Mark, Billy Twitty, and I flew over together joked and made light of the situation, as nervous 2nd Lts would do. I think of Mark quite often,and am glad to be able to have called him my friend.
John Cassel
***** I first met Mark at Tan An. He was new in country. I came into his quarters from a long day in the field. He asked what it was like as a forward observor. I told him what a great company I worked for. The next day he asked the Battalion Commander if he could be my replacement. We worked together a couple of weeks before I went to my new assignment. Mark was a fine young man. I think of him often. His family can be extremely proud of him. I thank my God on every remembrance of him.
Charley Crabtree
***** In OCS class 1-68 together. He was at my wedding - 3 days before graduation. We stayed at Ft Sill after graduation...he awating RVN orders and me for Flt School orders. Both had new Firebirds...his a '68, mine a '67. We both left Sill in mid '68.
Al Meyer
***** I was a young green F/O getting broken in with another company on that fateful day. When Mark went down they inserted me as a back-up F/O and fortunately I was able to make contact with an Air Force spotter who directed his jets to bomb that wood-line. And knowing that Mark was there they left him unscathed while completely destroying the woods. Mark truly put his life on the line that day in support of his brothers in arms.
Michael D. Morris
***** Mark Stephen Steiner was born on Armistice Day, November 11, 1948 (Veterans Day was so named in 1954). His hometown was Ogden, Utah. At just 19 years old, he graduated from Officer Candidates' School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army's artillery branch in 1968. He arrived for combat in Vietnam (click the "full profile" link at this page) on September 12, 1968 and joined Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment, then part of the 9th Infantry Division.
Just thirteen days after his 20th birthday, Lieutenant Steiner was attached as a forward observer to the 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment. Steiner was with 2-60's Company A on a reconnaissance-in-force mission in the Long An province in Vietnam's Mekong Delta on November 24, 1968 when the infantry came under heavy fire from a fortified communist enemy force. He set aside his role as a gunner and engaged the enemy directly to protect the wounded soldiers around him. His courage in the face of the enemy inspired the soldiers around him to attack.
The young lieutenant was cut down by the enemy, and his gallantry was posthumously recognized with the second-highest award the Army could grant: the Distinguished Service Cross.
Allan Bourdius
2LT - O1 - Army - Reserve
Length of service 0 years
His tour began on Sep 12, 1968
Casualty was on Nov 24, 1968
MILITARY DATA:
Service: Army of the United States
Grade at loss: O1
Rank: Second Lieutenant
ID No: O5433916
MOS: 1193: Field Artillery Unit Commander
Length Service: 00
Unit: C BTRY, 2ND BN, 4TH ARTILLERY, 9TH INF DIV, USARV
CASUALTY DATA:
Start Tour: 09/12/1968
Incident Date: 11/24/1968
Casualty Date: 11/24/1968
Age at Loss: 20
Location: Long An Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died outright
Casualty Reason: Ground casualty
Casualty Detail: Gun or small arms fire
In LONG AN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Panel 38W - Line 53
On November 24, 1968 2LT Mark Stephen Steiner, at the age of 20 years old, became a ground casualty.
While serving as an artillery forward observer on a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Tan Tru, Long An Province. The point element of Lieutenant Steiner's platoon suddenly came under intense automatic weapons fire from a bunker hidden in a woodline, and several men were wounded by the initial volley.
Realizing that artillery support might be needed, Lieutenant Steiner moved forward through the withering enemy barrage and discovered that two casualties and the medic who was treating them were completely unprotected.
He immediately secured a grenade launcher and began applying suppressive fire while maneuvering towards the aggressors. Inspired by his courage, a machine gun crew joined him as he advanced to within a few feet of the hostile stronghold. Further exposing himself to the communists' fusillade, Lieutenant Steiner attempted to fire his pistol into the bunker and, when the weapon failed to fire, hurled a grenade into the structure's gun port which killed the enemy within.
Fire then erupted from a previously undetected bunker located behind him, killing two men.
Realizing that his comrades were in grave danger, Lieutenant Steiner turned and opened fire on the second emplacement to enable the others to reach cover.
As he fearlessly engaged the enemy, he was mortally wounded by hostile fire.
His body was recovered.
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Fort Sill Artillery OCS Class 1B-68
Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army
Company A, 2d Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division
Date of Action: November 24, 1968
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Mark Stephen Steiner, Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Steiner distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 24 November 1968 while serving as an artillery forward observer on a reconnaissance-in-force mission near Tan Tru, Long An Province. The point element of Lieutenant Steiner's platoon suddenly came under intense automatic weapons fire from a bunker hidden in a woodline, and several men were wounded by the initial volley. Realizing that artillery support might be needed, Lieutenant Steiner moved forward through the withering enemy barrage and discovered that two casualties and the medic who was treating them were completely unprotected. He immediately secured a grenade launcher and began applying suppressive fire while maneuvering towards the aggressors. Inspired by his courage, a machine gun crew joined him as he advanced to within a few feet of the hostile stronghold. Further exposing himself to the communists' fusillade, Lieutenant Steiner attempted to fire his pistol into the bunker and, when the weapon failed to fire, hurled a grenade into the structure's gun port which killed the enemy within. Fire then erupted from a previously undetected bunker located behind him, killing two men. Realizing that his comrades were in grave danger, Lieutenant Steiner turned and opened fire on the second emplacement to enable the others to reach cover. As he fearlessly engaged the enemy, he was mortally wounded by hostile fire. Second Lieutenant Steiner's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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