By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
Sixty years ago, in the beginning of the war in Vietnam, Lt. Joseph Marm found himself in a combat situation that caused him to wonder if he was in the middle of something akin to Little Big Horn. They were completely surrounded and outnumbered 7 to 1, and seeing as death seemed inevitable, the only thing Joseph knew to do is what true soldiers do: fight for the man on your left, and fight for the man on your right. In Marm’s case, as an officer in the US Army’s 7th Cavalry, 1st Cav Division, the goal was to get his men through the situation with honor and courage, irrespective of the outcome. Ironically, Joe’s unit was the same as Custer’s, but thankfully did not suffer the same kind of defeat.
There was a concealed enemy machine gun that was firing upon Marm and his men, and Joseph charged ahead, lobbed grenades, and took out the gunner. That eerie quiet set in, and then Marm was shot in the mouth. The wound was a through and through, and he just kept going. He commented recently that if it had been an inch over, it would have hit his jugular vein and he would have bled out. “God works in mysterious ways; He had a mission for me, and it wasn’t my time yet.”
Armed with only a rifle, Lt. Marm “kept on keepin’ on” for a full three days, and was instrumental in rooting out and taking out the remaining VC. He also inspired his men by his example to rally and finish the mission, which was to get to a platoon that was trapped and lead them to safety. They did lose 79 soldiers, and 121 were wounded, but they did get the men out.
Lt. Marm recently was interviewed as part of the Honor Project and was asked what his personal definition of courage was. “Doing what you have to do to get the job done.” He then added, “In combat, they say courage is contagious, and that’s very, very true. You know, I wouldn’t ask my men to do something I wouldn’t do myself. So, as a leader I have to lead by example, and that’s very tough to do. But courage is just trying to do the best you can in everything you can.”
Marm grew up in Pennsylvania, and is the son of a policeman. He saw a steadfast courage in his father, and his dad’s example has inspired Joseph his whole life. “People have to do the best they can to display courage in their everyday lives. We are the greatest country in the world because of our citizens, all races and religions. Because of you and your parents and your family, and just try to do the best you can in everything you do.”
Once a year, veterans have the opportunity to be part of the Honor Project, and this year Medal of Honor recipient Joseph Marm was among them. Our congratulations to yet another soldier who gave deeply that we may live freely, and let us remember always that we are blessed.
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
March 7, 2025
