PFC Harlen Marcum

courtesy of Penny Dye

PFC Harlen Marcum was born on 6 Apr 1921 in Martin County, Kentucky. He was the 4th of 11 children born to Randolph "Ran" and Betty S (Howell) Marcum. The family farmed near Emily, Kentucky in 1930 and Whitepost, Kentucky in 1940. Harlen was working for Sycamore Coal Company in Pike County, Kentucky in 1942.

Harlen was drafted in August 1942. After basic training he was likely assigned to L Company 116th Infantry. He went to England and trained for the amphibious assault.  PVT Marcum was with L Company on 6 Jun 1944 in the landings on Omaha Beach. He was wounded in the thigh and foot by artillery fire on 9 Jun 1944 and evacuated to hospital.  Harlen returned to the unit on 20 Jul 1944. He was promoted to PFC on 26 Jul 1944. PFC Marcum was wounded by artillery fire again on 6 Aug 1944 in the vicinity of Vire, France and was evacuated to hospital. PFC Marcum died of his wound(s) on 7 Aug 1944.

PFC Marcum was repatriated in 1949 and re-interred in Caney Cemetery in Martin County, Kentucky.