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Franklin "Hank" Leroy Marker was born November 10, 1922 in Wapakoneta, Ohio, the second child of Robert Edward Marker Sr. and his wife, Esther Marguerite Casey. He attended Central High School in Lima, Ohio and graduated from Blume High School in Wapakoneta, Ohio with the class of 1942. He enlisted in the service of the U.S. Navy on October 12, 1942, and began sea duty in February 1943. He participated in the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. After a short leave, he reported for duty in the South Pacific. He was awarded the Purple Heart medal for wounds he received in action on December 6, 1943 during the Bougainville campaign. After spending Christmas with his family, he reported back to duty in the South Pacific. He served aboard the U.S.S. Birmingham in the South Pacific. Hank was killed in the Battle of Leyte Gulf on October 24, 1944. His parents were notified of his death by telegram from the Navy Department on November 10, 1944. Hank also received a posthumous Purple Heart for the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
