Staff Sgt. Vincent P. Marketta
Distinguished Flying Cross - "Heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight"
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Hometown: Brick, New Jersey. Died: August 27, 2020. Age: 33 Unit: 160th Special Ops Aviation Regiment (SOAR), Fort Campbell, KY. Staff Sergeant Vincent P. Marketta, 33, of Clarksville, TN, originally from Brick, NJ, passed away in a Black Hawk helicopter crash on August 27, 2020 in San Clemente, CA. Vinnie was born in Old Bridge, NJ, and resided in Gelnhausen, Germany for a brief period before moving to Brick in 1996. Vinnie played left wing and center for the Brick High School Dragons hockey team before graduating in 2005. He was an avid NJ Devils fan and enjoyed fishing, working on cars, riding motorcycles and, most of all, spending time with his family. Vinnie enlisted in the U.S. Army on 9/11/2011 and was currently a Staff Sergeant in Special Ops Aviation Regiment (SOAR) as 15T Crew Chief on the Black Hawk helicopter stationed in Fort Campbell, KY for the past 8 years. He received multiple awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with “V” for valor, the Army Achievement Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Vinnie is survived by his wife of 8 years, Danielle M. Marketta, daughter Gianna Marketta, his parents, Richard J. and Mary Marketta, his siblings, Nicholas A., Dominick A. and Anthony J. Marketta, paternal grandmother, Barbara Marketta, and maternal grandmother, Esther DeLeo; in-laws, Albert J. and Debbie Bonavita; sister-in-law, Janine Marley and husband, Thomas, and their two sons, Thomas and Aaron, and many other loving family, friends and comrades in service. Vinnie is predeceased by his paternal grandfather, Richard M. Marketta, and his maternal grandfather, Paul DeLeo. Visitation is Thursday, September 17th 4-8 PM at Oliverie Funeral Home, 2925 Ridgeway Rd, Manchester. Funeral Liturgy Friday 12:30 PM at Visitation Church, Brick and interment to follow at Brigadier Gen. William C. Doyle NJ Veterans Cemetery, Arneytown. Staff Sgt. Vincent P. Marketta, 33, of Brick, New Jersey, and Sgt. Tyler M. Shelton, 22, of San Bernardino, California, died August 27, from injuries sustained during an aircraft mishap while conducting aviation training on San Clemente Island, California.
“The loss of Staff Sgt. Marketta and Sgt. Shelton has left a scar in this Regiment that will never completely heal,” said Col. Andrew R. Graham, commander of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). “Their level of dedication to the 160th SOAR (A) and their exemplary service in the Army is the embodiment of what it means to be a Night Stalker and a Soldier. Our priority now is to ensure the Families of our fallen warriors receive our complete support as we work through this tragedy together. We ask that you keep Staff Sgt. Marketta, Sgt. Shelton, their Families and fellow Night Stalkers in your thoughts and prayers.” |
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 182
WHEREAS, United States Army Staff Sergeant Vincent P.
Marketta was a lifelong product of Ocean County and most recently resided in Brick Township; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Marketta graduated from Brick High School in 2005 and enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Black Hawk helicopter repairer in 2011; and
WHEREAS, following extensive training and assessment, Staff Sergeant Marketta was assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) in 2012; and
WHEREAS, soldiers within the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as “Night Stalkers,” are recognized for their proficiency in nighttime military engagements; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Marketta dedicated eighteen months to aircraft repair within the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment before he was promoted to an MH-60M Crew Chief in 2014; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Marketta completed or graduated from the Enlisted Combat Skills, Combatives Level 1, MH-60 Maintainers Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School, MH-60 Non-Rated Crew Member Course, the Basic and Advanced Leaders
Courses, and the MH-60 Flight Instructors Course; and
WHEREAS, while assigned to the 160th Special Operations
Aviation Regiment, Staff Sergeant Marketta was first deployed to Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Marketta subsequently served multiple tours in Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in action against the Islamic State; and
WHEREAS, during his eleven years of service to the United
States, Staff Sergeant Marketta received many awards and
decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with V device, Air Medal with C device, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with C device (2OLC), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (1OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (Campaign Star), Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War
on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 2), Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, and the Basic Aviator’s Badge; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Marketta tragically lost his life
while engaged in training operations on San Clemente Island in California on August 27, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Marketta was a beloved member of our New Jersey family whose presence will be immensely missed by his family, his friends, his fellow service members, and by the people of New Jersey and around the country whom are grateful for his
service; and
WHEREAS, it is with immense sadness that we mourn Staff Sergeant Marketta’s sudden passing, and extend our deepest sympathy and gratitude to his family, friends, and colleagues; and WHEREAS, it is appropriate to honor the exemplary character, outstanding achievements, and cherished memory of Staff Sergeant Marketta and to mark his passing;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PHILIP D. MURPHY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of
New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, in recognition and mourning of a courageous and loyal American hero, Staff Sergeant Vincent P. Marketta.
2. This Order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 31st day of August,
Two Thousand and Twenty, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Forty-Fifth.
[seal] /s/ Philip D. Murphy Governor
Attest:
/s/ Matthew J. Platkin Chief Counsel to the Governor
WHEREAS, United States Army Staff Sergeant Vincent P.
Marketta was a lifelong product of Ocean County and most recently resided in Brick Township; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Marketta graduated from Brick High School in 2005 and enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Black Hawk helicopter repairer in 2011; and
WHEREAS, following extensive training and assessment, Staff Sergeant Marketta was assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) in 2012; and
WHEREAS, soldiers within the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as “Night Stalkers,” are recognized for their proficiency in nighttime military engagements; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Marketta dedicated eighteen months to aircraft repair within the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment before he was promoted to an MH-60M Crew Chief in 2014; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Marketta completed or graduated from the Enlisted Combat Skills, Combatives Level 1, MH-60 Maintainers Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School, MH-60 Non-Rated Crew Member Course, the Basic and Advanced Leaders
Courses, and the MH-60 Flight Instructors Course; and
WHEREAS, while assigned to the 160th Special Operations
Aviation Regiment, Staff Sergeant Marketta was first deployed to Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Marketta subsequently served multiple tours in Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in action against the Islamic State; and
WHEREAS, during his eleven years of service to the United
States, Staff Sergeant Marketta received many awards and
decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with V device, Air Medal with C device, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with C device (2OLC), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (1OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (Campaign Star), Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War
on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 2), Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, and the Basic Aviator’s Badge; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Marketta tragically lost his life
while engaged in training operations on San Clemente Island in California on August 27, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Marketta was a beloved member of our New Jersey family whose presence will be immensely missed by his family, his friends, his fellow service members, and by the people of New Jersey and around the country whom are grateful for his
service; and
WHEREAS, it is with immense sadness that we mourn Staff Sergeant Marketta’s sudden passing, and extend our deepest sympathy and gratitude to his family, friends, and colleagues; and WHEREAS, it is appropriate to honor the exemplary character, outstanding achievements, and cherished memory of Staff Sergeant Marketta and to mark his passing;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PHILIP D. MURPHY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of
New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, in recognition and mourning of a courageous and loyal American hero, Staff Sergeant Vincent P. Marketta.
2. This Order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 31st day of August,
Two Thousand and Twenty, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Forty-Fifth.
[seal] /s/ Philip D. Murphy Governor
Attest:
/s/ Matthew J. Platkin Chief Counsel to the Governor
