Orval Harry Skarman
Era: Vietnam
Military Branch: Marines
SKARMAN, Orvall Harry
Orval Harry Skarman was born on March 11th 1947 to Harry Carl & Anne [Eknes] Skarman. His Home City of Record: Duluth, Minnesota
Mr. Skarman joined the U.S. Marine Corps on July 1st 1966. He served as a rifleman with Company L, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division.
His tour of Vietnam began on January 15th 1968. His unit was stationed in northern South Vietnam near the demilitarized zone (DMZ). He rose to the rank of Sergeant (SGT).
Upon return from R&R at China Beach, the helicopter SGT Skarman was riding in crashed enroute to Khe Sanh. His remains were not recovered and he's still listed as 'missing'; Category: 4.
SYNOPSIS: USMC SGT Orval Skarman was stationed in northern South Vietnam near the demilitarized zone (DMZ). To the west, at the Sann, his fellow Marines were battling what was to become one of the most publicized battles of the war. The battles for the city of Hue was one Skarman would not be around for.
Skarman was due to return from R&R and did not. What happens to him was never discovered. The Marines did not doubt his honor; they knew something had happened to Skarman that prevented his return. Perhaps he was captured or killed. He was classified Missing in Action. Like nearly 2,500 other Americans, his fate remains unresolved.
Since the end of American involvement in Southeast Asia, nearly 6,000 reports relating to Americans have been received. Nearly 1,000 of these reports are eyewitness reports. Many concern American prisoners who were compelling case that Americans are still held against their will by an enemy many of us have forgotten.
Whether Skarman was killed or taken captive in unknown. But, as long as there is even one man alive, held captive in Southeast Asia, we must consider that Skarman MAY be alive. We must insist that every effort is made to bring him home.
SGT Skarman has a memorial grave at Oneota Cemetery in his hometown of Duluth. His name is also inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial (Punchbowl) Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is also honored on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington DC.
His date of loss is recorded as January 15th 1968. As of 1973 his status is still listed as Missing in Action (MIA)
Source(s):
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
Vietnam Wall Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Fold3
Orval Harry Skarman (1947-1968) - Find a Grave Memorial
U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 - Ancestry.com
