Israel Erwin Marks

Israel Erwin Marks’ Personal Narrative was derived from information found in public records, military personnel files, and local/state historical association materials. Please note that the Robb Centre never fully closes the book on our servicemembers; as new information becomes available, narratives will be updated to appropriately represent the life story of each veteran.

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Military Honor(s):

Distinguished Service Cross

Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Erwin J. Marks (ASN: 543342), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Medical Detachment, 7th Infantry Regiment (Attached), 3d Division, A.E.F., near Le Charmel, France, 22 July 1918. A patrol of five men had advanced about 500 yards in front of our lines. While crossing a small clearing the patrol was fired upon by a concealed machine gun, which killed two and wounded three. On his own initiative, exposed to heavy machine-gun fire, Private Marks went forward and brought in the wounded men one at a time.

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Life & Service

  • Birth: 16 October 1899, Leeds, United Kingdom
  • Place of Residence: Brooklyn, NY, United States
  • Race/Ethnicity: Jewish American
  • Death: , United States
  • Branch: Army
  • Military Rank: Private
  • Company: [Medical Detachment]
  • Infantry Regiment: 7th
  • Division: 3rd
Personal Narrative
Early Life (Pre-War): Includes general parent information, sibling information, education Toggle Accordion

Israel Erwin Marks (Marcus/Markus) was born to Russian parents, Tillie Annie Isaacovitch (1874-1935) and Louis Marks (1871-1946), on 16 October 1899 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, the fourth of nine children. Marks had the following siblings; Yetta (1891-1954), Florrie (1895-?), Lillian (1897-?), Anna (1902-?), Rose (1904-?), Abraham (1906-1986), Norman (1909-1911), and Bernard (1912-1999), all born in Leeds. The extent of Marks’ education is unknown, but he most likely attended public school in England.

Marks emigrated to the United States from Liverpool, England on or about 6 March 1914 aboard the vessel Mauretania, arriving 13 March; he settled in Brooklyn, New York (1575 Park Place) with his parents and siblings Lillian, Anna, Rose, Abraham, and Bernard.

 

Service: Includes a summary of transfers, rank change(s), training, enlistment, and discharge locations Toggle Accordion

Marks enlisted at Fort Slocum, New York on 8 April 1917 OR 7 August 1917, and was assigned as a Private to Company D, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Division until 22 February 1918, when he was reassigned to Medical Department, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Division. Private Marks and the Medical Detachment left Hoboken, New Jersey aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship America on 6 April 1918. Private Marks noted the following on his Jewish Serviceman Questionnaire*,

“June 20th, 1918: Belleau Woods- Slightly wounded by shrapnel (Occipital Region), Attended by first aid man no official mention made of matter. July 26, 1918: Shrapnel wound at Chateau Thierry left foot big toe treated by own first aid station. Verdun- gassed-mustard-October 4th 1918. Went to Base Hosp #19 Vichy AEF Nov 5th 1918.”

“In accordance with the policy of the War Department to report, as a matter of record and appreciation all injuries received in action, I have the honor to inform you that on explanation of the parts received by courier indicates that Pvt Erwin Marks, No. 543342 Medical Det. 7th Inf. was slightly wounded July 16, 1918. That he subsequently was gassed degree undetermined and admitted to Hospital Nov. 5, 1918, has already been communicated to you, but it is felt that you should have official information of the full measure of his sacrifice. Very respectfully, J.T. Kerr (Adj. Gen.) In Charge of Office”*

“In accordance with the policy of the War Department to report, as a matter of record and appreciation, all injuries received in action, I have the honor to inform you that an examination of reports received by courier indicates that Pvt. Erwin Marks, Infantry, was gassed, degree undetermined, and under treatment in Base Hospital No. 19. Vichy, AEF Nov. 5, 1918. He has doubtless communicated with you, either from Hospital or since return to duty, if, however, you have not heard from him, this should furnish no occasion for alarm, since this office has been notified by cable, of all casualties resulting seriously and, in such an event you would before this have been notified by telegraph. Very respectfully P.C. Harris (Adj Gen.)”*

Pvt Marks received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on 22 July 1918 near Le Charmel, France;

“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Erwin J. Marks (ASN: 543342), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Medical Detachment, 7th Infantry Regiment (Attached), 3d Division, A.E.F., near Le Charmel, France, 22 July 1918. A patrol of five men had advanced about 500 yards in front of our lines. While crossing a small clearing the patrol was fired upon by a concealed machine gun, which killed two and wounded three. On his own initiative, exposed to heavy machine-gun fire, Private Marks went forward and brought in the wounded men one at a time.”

Pvt Marks returned to the United States on 9 January 1919; he was Honorably Discharged on 3 April.

 

*Marks, Erwin. Pgs. 1-3. U.S., World War I Jewish Servicemen Questionnaires, 1918-1921. Series II: Questionnaires: Jews; Record Group Description: (C) Casualties-Air Force, Navy, Citations (Box 10); Box #: 10; Folder #: 10; Box Info: Casualties: M-O. Ancestry.com. Provo, UT

Later Life (Post-War): Includes post-war education, occupation, marriage(s) and/or children, location and date of death Toggle Accordion

Upon his return home, Marks lived with his parents and siblings in Brooklyn, working as a ‘machinist’ at an auto shop. Marks received his Conspicuous Service Cross (#470) in April of 1921.

Marks married Feigal (Fanny/Fay) Fisher (1905-1970) on 20 November 1926 in New York; they had two children, Elonore Joyce (1929-1994) and Carole Ruth (1933-2018). In the 1930s, the family lived in Brooklyn (146 E 93rd St) where Marks worked as a linotype operator at Academy Press printing company (112 Fourth Ave., NY, NY); they remained in the area into the 1950s (275 E 94th St).

Little else is known about Marks’ adult life, he may have died on 18 January 1951; if that is the case, he is buried at Mount Hebron Cemetery in Flushing, New York, however, this is unconfirmed.