MARK ESLICK, JR., CDR, USN

Mark Eslick, Jr. '35

Date of birth: May 8, 1911

Date of death: October 12, 1944

Age: 33

Lucky Bag

From the 1935 Lucky Bag:

MARK ESLICK

Pulaski, Tennessee

"Es" "Slick"

DETERMINED in his actions, independent in his thought, brutally frank in his opinions, and possessed of a nature that invites confidence; in short, that's Mark. His chief hobby is the indoor sport of billiards. He relishes, knows, and enjoys the finer music, good food, and the best literature. He prefers the all-woman type of femininity. He indulges in athletics not for personal glory but rather for physical and mental fitness. Mark likes the Navy well enough but considers that he'd be too cramped in the duties of a naval officer because he loves freedom, especially mental freedom. So, perhaps, Mark will leave the Navy and enter some field in which he can express himself more freely than technical formulae for conduct permit.

Class Football 3. B Squad Football 2. Glee Club 4, 3, 2. Choir 4, 3, 2, 1. 1 Stripe.

MARK ESLICK

Pulaski, Tennessee

"Es" "Slick"

DETERMINED in his actions, independent in his thought, brutally frank in his opinions, and possessed of a nature that invites confidence; in short, that's Mark. His chief hobby is the indoor sport of billiards. He relishes, knows, and enjoys the finer music, good food, and the best literature. He prefers the all-woman type of femininity. He indulges in athletics not for personal glory but rather for physical and mental fitness. Mark likes the Navy well enough but considers that he'd be too cramped in the duties of a naval officer because he loves freedom, especially mental freedom. So, perhaps, Mark will leave the Navy and enter some field in which he can express himself more freely than technical formulae for conduct permit.

Class Football 3. B Squad Football 2. Glee Club 4, 3, 2. Choir 4, 3, 2, 1. 1 Stripe.

Loss

Mark was lost when his Curtiss SB2C-3 Helldiver was shot down over Kiirun Harbor, Formosa on October 12, 1944. He was commanding officer of Bombing Squadron (VB) 18, flying from USS Intrepid (CV 11).

His wife was listed as next of kin; they had two children together. His wife, Jane, later remarried a classmate of Mark's. Mark was also survived by his parents and sister.

Other

As reported in the Class News section of the July 1946 issue of Shipmate, Mark had taken over command of Harlan’s VB-18 squadron in February 1944. As commanding officer he “…flew 12 bombing and strafing missions against Palau, the Philippines, Nansli Shoto, and Formosa; led a 700-mile attack which destroyed 55,000 tons of merchant shipping; led 6 unescorted bombers in a devastating attack on harbor installations in the principal port of Northern Formosa.”

Mark's Naval Academy ring is in the collection of the US Naval Academy Museum.

Silver Star

From Hall of Valor:

(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Commander Mark Eslick, Jr. (NSN: 0-74816), United States Navy, was awarded the Silver Star (Posthumously) for extraordinary gallantry in action as Commanding Officer of a dive bombing squadron embarked in U.S.S. INTREPID (CV-11), on 12 October 1944. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 348 (March 1946)
Action Date: October 12, 1944
Service: Navy
Division: U.S.S. Intrepid (CV-11)

Distinguished Flying Cross

From Hall of Valor:

(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Commander Mark Eslick, Jr. (NSN: 0-74816), United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II.
General Orders: American Battle Monuments Commission
Action Date: World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander

Class of 1935

Mark is one of 56 members of the Class of 1935 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of the alumni in Memorial Hall.