Monee veteran reflects on service as 100th birthday nears

By Nick Swedberg Correspondent July 18, 2014 8:14PM

World War II veteran Mike Marcus, of Monee, holds medals and memorabilia from his service. | Supplied photo

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Mike Marcus saw some of the world while serving in the military police during World War II.

Years after his discharge, Marcus got to see more of it while traveling with his family, and this week his world will come to him when the Monee veteran celebrates his 100th birthday on Saturday.

Marcus served from 1944 to 1945 as a U.S. Army staff sergeant in the European and Pacific theaters. He was a part of the 93rd Coast Artillery unit and 785th Military Police Battalion, Company D. During his service, Marcus earned several medals and certificates of merit.

After serving, Marcus eventually trained as an electrician and worked as an electrical inspector until he was 90 years old. He now has a large family that includes grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will gather for his upcoming birthday party.

Born on Chicagos South Side, Marcus graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1928 and briefly attended a city college. He later joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and spent a year cutting down trees in the state of Washington for $5 a day. An additional $25 a day of pay was sent to his parents.

Marcus worked a few other jobs in Chicago before Uncle Sam came calling.

On May 5, 1941, Marcus was drafted into the Army, but after basic training, he was hospitalized for three months in San Francisco following surgery. When he was released, Marcus was sent to the Mojave desert and floated among several companies. His original company already had been deployed overseas.

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Monee veteran reflects on service as 100th birthday nears