Marion Eugene Carl (1915 - 1998)

Born 1 Nov 1915 in Hubbard, Marion, Oregon, United States

Ancestors

Died 28 Jun 1998 at age 82 in Roseburg, Douglas, Oregon, United States

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Biography

Maj Gen Marion Carl served in the Marine Corps during World War II.

Marion Carl was an Oregonian.

Marion Carl buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia

Marion Carl was a World War II Marine Corps Fighter Ace, United States Marine Corps General. Shot down 18 enemy aircraft in World War II, flew U-2 spy flights over China and fought in Vietnam, In 1942, the Oregon native became the first Marine fighter ace, downing three Japanese bombers and a fighter plane over Guadalcanal. He ended his stint at Guadalcanal with 11.5 combat aircraft destroyed, according to the National Museum of Naval Aviation. After the war, he became a Navy test pilot, setting a world speed record of 651 mph on August 25, 1947, at Muroc Field, (now Edwards Air Force Base), in California. His fame from these exploits was fleeting and was soon forgotten by the general public. Chuck Yeager, the Air Force's top test pilot, wrested away the title of world's fastest human by breaking the sound barrier two months later,when he flew a Bell X-1 rocket plane at Mach 1.07 (700 mph) on October 14, 1947. In 1953, Marion Carl set a world altitude record of 83,235 feet and two years later flew U-2 photo reconnaissance missions over China. He returned to combat during the Vietnam War, commanding the 2nd Marine Air Wing. He retired in 1973 with 13,000 flying hours, a Navy Cross with two Gold Stars, the Legion of Merit with three Gold Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross with four Gold Stars and the Air Medal with 13 Gold Stars.

On June 28, 1998 the 82-year-old Carl, one of the Marines' most highly decorated aviators, was killed while trying to protect his wife from an intruder in their home outside Roseburg, Oregon. Date on the stone is incorrect.

His murderer, 19-year-old Jesse Fanus, was apprehended one week later. In April 1999, he was convicted on two counts of aggravated murder (and 11 additional felony charge) and sentenced to death. In 2003, his conviction and death sentence was upheld by the Oregon Supreme Court. In December 2011, the sentence was overturned.

Family links: Parents: Herman Lee Carl (1877 - 1933) Ellen L Ellingston Carl (1877 - 1945)

Spouse: Edna Kirvin Carl (1923 - 2007)*

Sibling: Leland A Carl (1907 - 1925)* Marion Eugene Carl (1915 - 1998)

• Calculated relationship

Burial: Arlington National Cemetery Arlington Arlington County Virginia, USA Plot: Section 4 Lot 160 Grid U-9 GPS (lat/lon): 38.87222, -77.06802

Sources

• Obituary

The News-Review, Roseburg, Oregon, 2 & 3 July 1998

Major General Marion E. Carl, USMC retired.

CARL, Marion E., Major General WSMC retired Age 82 of Roseburg, Oregon, passed away Monday, June 29, 1998. He was born November 1, 1915 at Hubbard, Oregon. General Carl grew up and attended school in Hubbard. He attended Oregon State College, graduating in 1938 with a BS Degree in Engineering and was also a member of the ROTC unit during that time. He resigned an Army Reserve commission to accept appointment as a Marine Aviation cadet in August of 1938. General Carl married Edna Kirvin in January of 1943. His illustrious career spanned nearly 40 years, culminating with his promotion to Major General in August of 1967 and later his retirement to the North Umpqua Area to enjoy hunting and fishing. Surviving are his wife, Edna Carl of Roseburg; daughter Lyanne Dowling of New York City; son Bruce Carl of Folsom, California; brother Manton Carl of Hubbard, Oregon; sister, Ginger Peterson of Bend, Oregon and two grandchildren. Services will be held Monday, July 6, 1998 at 11 a.m., at Umpqua Community College, Jacoby Auditorium. Officiating will be Pastor Robert Flaherty of the First United Methodist Church in Roseburg with military honors provided by the United States Marine Corps. Interment service will be held Thursday, July 9, 1998 at 9 a.m., at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the O.S.U. Foundation, Marion Carl Scholarship Fund, 517 Snell Hall, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-1650 or the Alzheimer's Association, 1238 Lincoln St., Eugene, Oregon 97401. Arrangements are under the direction of WILSON'S CHAPEL OF THE ROSES.

Find A Grave: Memorial #4631

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/4631/marion-eugene-carl