Mark came from a place far removed from civilization, Lacey, Wash., on Puget Sound. All anyone knew of it was that it was too far to go home on weekends. Mark eased through three years of varsity swimming, water polo, and AAU swimming during high school at North Thurston. Rather than having to put up with women and parties at the U. of W. Mark in a brief loss of his senses accepted an appointment to USNA. The water sports continued for four years except Varsity swimming which terminated after the third year due to lack of interest in spending his days drinking chlorinated water. Two enjoyable summer cruises were spent checking out the lovelies in quite a few Western Pacific ports and finding out if all the stories were true. The encouragement and support of friends and family served Mark well and will still be appreciated during a career in Naval Aviation.