Army Specialist Marc P. Decoteau
September 2, 1990 ~ January
29,
2010
Operation Enduring Freedom
6th Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne)
4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne)
Fort Bragg, NC
19, of Waterville Valley, NH; killed in action supporting combat operations in FOB Nunez, Afghanistan.
Operation Enduring Freedom
6th Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne)
4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne)
Fort Bragg, NC
19, of Waterville Valley, NH; killed in action supporting combat operations in FOB Nunez, Afghanistan.
Marc was stationed in Afghanistan as part of a Psychological Operations unit based out of Fort Bragg, N.C. He enlisted in the Army after his graduation in 2008 from Plymouth Regional High School. He was an outstanding student-athlete at Plymouth, his football coach Chuck Lenahan, said he was “as good as they come.”
“He was there every day at practice, doing anything he could to benefit the team,” Lenahan said. “He was one of those kids who never got in trouble. Everyone liked him.” Marc helped lead his team to a state championship and played lacrosse. He was soft-spoken and had an infectious laugh and smile.
Marc was deployed to Afghanistan in early January 2010 assigned to the 6th Psychological Operations Battalion/4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne). He was killed 3 weeks later when Nasir Ahmad Ahmadi opened fire inside Camp Nunez with an AK-47 assault rifle. The camp was in Wardak province. Ahmadi had worked as an interpreter at the base for Special Forces soldiers and opened fire on soldiers in the base after being told he would be reassigned to another base.
When the state police motorcade escorted the body of Marc from Concord to Plymouth, hundreds of people came out to show their support, lining the streets hours before the motorcade passed by. Marc's girlfriend Christina Evans was among them and was quoted saying, "Its really nice to see all the support he's getting, and I know he's loving it." Christina said she one of the things she'll miss the most, "Him making me feel better when things like this happen." "Many of those in the crowd knew either the soldier or his family. Ian McKinnon of Boy Scout Troop 56 said Marc was his inspiration. "He was just the most clean-cut, straightforward role model that I ever met and just a great person," McKinnon said. Marc's father is the town manager for Waterville Valley, and residents said the death has hit the community hard. "It's such a small, close-knit community that a loss like this, it's heartfelt for everyone," said Tom Quackenbush, Waterville Valley town employee.
Marc's military education includes Psychological Operations Advanced Individual Training, Army Airborne School and the United States John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School Language Course (French).
His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Parachutist Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and NATO Medal.
Marc is survived by his parents Marc and Nancy Decoteau; sister, Medora A. Decoteau and a brother, Andrew W. Decoteau; paternal grandmother, Theresa M. (Marcotte) Dodge; maternal grandparents, Burton and Marion Griffeth and his extended family.
“He was there every day at practice, doing anything he could to benefit the team,” Lenahan said. “He was one of those kids who never got in trouble. Everyone liked him.” Marc helped lead his team to a state championship and played lacrosse. He was soft-spoken and had an infectious laugh and smile.
Marc was deployed to Afghanistan in early January 2010 assigned to the 6th Psychological Operations Battalion/4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne). He was killed 3 weeks later when Nasir Ahmad Ahmadi opened fire inside Camp Nunez with an AK-47 assault rifle. The camp was in Wardak province. Ahmadi had worked as an interpreter at the base for Special Forces soldiers and opened fire on soldiers in the base after being told he would be reassigned to another base.
When the state police motorcade escorted the body of Marc from Concord to Plymouth, hundreds of people came out to show their support, lining the streets hours before the motorcade passed by. Marc's girlfriend Christina Evans was among them and was quoted saying, "Its really nice to see all the support he's getting, and I know he's loving it." Christina said she one of the things she'll miss the most, "Him making me feel better when things like this happen." "Many of those in the crowd knew either the soldier or his family. Ian McKinnon of Boy Scout Troop 56 said Marc was his inspiration. "He was just the most clean-cut, straightforward role model that I ever met and just a great person," McKinnon said. Marc's father is the town manager for Waterville Valley, and residents said the death has hit the community hard. "It's such a small, close-knit community that a loss like this, it's heartfelt for everyone," said Tom Quackenbush, Waterville Valley town employee.
Marc's military education includes Psychological Operations Advanced Individual Training, Army Airborne School and the United States John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School Language Course (French).
His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Parachutist Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and NATO Medal.
Marc is survived by his parents Marc and Nancy Decoteau; sister, Medora A. Decoteau and a brother, Andrew W. Decoteau; paternal grandmother, Theresa M. (Marcotte) Dodge; maternal grandparents, Burton and Marion Griffeth and his extended family.