NAME:  Orval Harry Skarman Rank/Branch:  E5/US Marine Corp Unit:  L/3/3 3rd Marine Division Date of Birth:  11 March 1947 Home City of Record:  Duluth, MN. Date of Loss:  15 January 1968 Country of Loss:  South Vietnam Loss Coordinates:  164902N 1065235E (YD100600) Status (in 1973):  Missing in Action Category:  4 Acft/Vehicle/Ground:  Ground Refno:  0987 Other in Incident:  (none missing) Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project, 15 October 1990 from one or more of the following:  raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews.  Updated by the P.O.W. NETWORK 1998. Remarks:  NO RETURN FROM R&R.     SYNOPSIS Orval Skarman was a marine stationed in northern south Vietnam near the demilitarized zone (DMZ).  To the west, at Khe Sanh, his fellow marines were battling what to become one of the most publicized battles of the war.  The only battle for the city of Hue was one Skarman would not be around for. Skarman went on R&R at China Beach on 4 January, and did not return.  What happened to him was never discovered.  He just disappeared.  The Marines did not doubt his honor; they knew something had happened to Skarman that prevented his return.  Perhaps he was captured or killed.  He was classified Missing in Action.  Like nearly 2500 other Americans, his fate remains unresolved. Since the end of American involvement in Southeast Asia, over 10,000 reports relating to Americans have been received.  Nearly 1000 of these reports are first-hand, eyewitness reports.  Many concern American prisoners who were not released at the end of the war.  Collectively, they present a compelling case that Americans are still held against their will by an enemy many of us have forgotten. Whether Skarman was killed or taken captive is unknown.  But, as long as there is even one man alive, held captive in Southeast Asia, we must consider that Skarman may be alive.  We must insist that every effort is made to bring him home. Sgt. Skarman believed in this motto, why aren't we??? Bring them home! The above graphics and the graphics used to make this background were found at the following site, they are made available for download and use.  Please click the banner to learn more about: The Few, The Proud, The Marines.     Please right click the yellow ribbon and place it on your site, show your support!  Link it to  http://www.ojc.orgYou can adopt your POW/MIA at OJC.  Thank you to Jeff Grote for taking the time to make the POW/MIA bracelets for all of us!  Once you adopt your POW/MIA, visit Jeff's' site to place your order for your bracelet.  His web site address can be found at OJC and by clicking the bracelet at the top of this web page. The Semper Fi graphic above and the Never Forget ribbon were made by Ron Fleischer.  He has devoted a lot of blood, sweat and tears to making military and patriotic graphics.  He also has EMT, police and other medals on his site.  Be kind, visit Ron by clicking the Semper Fi graphic above!