Anthony L. Markham

Anthony L. Markham, Sr.

WEST POINT a€" Anthony Lloyd Markham, 64, retired U.S. Air Force, died Monday, April 7, 2008 at Ogden Regional Medical Center following a lingering illness.

He was born August 30, 1943 in Grand Prairie, Texas, a son of Lloyd and Ava Toten Markham.

On March 20, 1975, Anthony married Vicki Garrett in Elko, Nevada.

The following essay was written by Shyler Lloyd Markham, Grandson.

"My grandfather Anthony L. Markham, Sr. served in Vietnam in 1965 and 1971. In 1965 he was in the U.S. Army''s First Cavalry Division, 228 Assault Helicopter Squadron, also known as the Air Cavalry. Their base was located in the central highlands of South Vietnam. The weather was extremely hot and humid most of the time. Sometimes it was very wet during the rainy season. He flew CH-47 Chinook Helicopters transporting troops and artillery. His mission was extremely dangerous and he lost several good friends due to enemy fire. During his tour in 1965, his squadron lost 30 percent of Chinook Helicopters; many times his own helicopter was damaged by bullets, but never crashed. He flew between 80 a€" 100 missions receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal.

My grandfather switched over to the U.S. Air Force after five and a half years. Starting in 1971, he was sent over to the Vietnam War once again. He was stationed in Thailand, a country close to Vietnam, serving with the 21st S.O.S. (Special Operation Squadron). He flew the HH-52 Helicopter known as the "Jolly Green Giants". His missions were to transport the Laotian Army who were fighting communist terrorist linked to North Vietnam. His missions were again very dangerous and his helicopter was damaged many times. He received five Air Medals for flying over 100 Combat Missions.

One of the most outstanding missions he was involved in was the transportation of re-patriotic North Vietnamese soldiers. These prisoners were supported by U.S. Special Forces known as the Green Berets. They were trained to infiltrate the North Vietnamese Army as spies.

My grandfather retired in 1981 after 20 years in the service. He again retired after 20 additional years of government service in 2004. He resided in West Point". Surviving are his wife Vicki of West Point; two sons and three daughters, Anthony Lloyd (Heidi) Markham, Jr., South Ogden; Robert Anthony Markham, West Point; Cynthia A. (Cary D.) Stenquist, Nixa, MO; Ava M. (Daniel) Strebel, North Ogden; Nicole D. (Stephen) Gibbs, Ft. Worth, TX; 15 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Also surviving is one brother, Lonnie Ray Markham, Houston, TX.

Preceding Anthony in death were his mother, Ava M. Grimes and stepson, Roddy J. Hillan.

Sunset graveside services will be held Friday at 7 p.m. at Lindquist''s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd., where Military Honors will be accorded by Hill Air Force Base Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations made to the Heart and Lung Associations.

Funeral Directors, Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary.

Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com