In Remembrance
On behalf of the Commandant of the United States Military and Chief of the Military Special Operations, It is with great pride that the United States Military Special Operations:/ USSOCOM announces our new inductee into the Commando Hall of Honor. The U.S. Special Operations Command inducted a former special operator into the USSOCOM Commando
Hall of Honor.
Congratulations To:
E-7 OR-7 Master Sergeant (MSgt) Mark L. Farley (MSgt) Farley’s illustrious career spans 5 years of active service to the Special Operations Unit and the United States Air Force. The Siege of Beirut and Later the Multinational Peacekeeping Force Beirut. (MSgt) Farley: branch out and serve at two and three, nominative levels of command. His career culminated 4 months following the Beirut Lebanon War. In direct result of his professional excellence, The United States Air Force instituted the Sergeant MSgt Mark L. Farley USSOCOM Commando Hall of Honor award in his name. (MSgt) Farley is the only Special Operations (CMSgt) bestowed this honor. (MSgt) Farley served The Siege of Beirut and Later the Multinational Peacekeeping Force Beirut. Placed on peacekeeping duty for 18 months. The Multinational Peacekeeping Force was to oversee the safe and peaceful withdrawal of Yasser Arafat and the PLO from positions within Beirut and ensure the safety of the Palestinian Civilians that remained behind (MSgt) Farleys Team found themselves the target of terrorists engaged in combat in Beirut plain and simple, And the hostile fire lasted nearly six months. Not even in Vietnam did “the ferocity and intensity of small-arms fire that was experienced in Beirut, They were fighters, and they were facing some heavy odds. The so-called peacekeepers had become full-fledged fighters in a nasty, undeclared war. They were fighting professional Syrian soldiers and Iranian Revolutionary Guardsmen right outside the Marine Amphibious Unit perimeter. And a secretive mountain-dwelling sect—were part of this deadly trio. Combined, the various groups fielded 10,000 fighters. And they were armed to the teeth, But this was barely realized by Americans back home. (Under orders from Washington) On October 23, 1983 - 241 US troops are killed On the morning of October 23, 1983, a dump truck packed with an estimated 12,000 pounds (5,400 kg) of explosives crashed through the front gates of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut. Killing 4 out of the 6 soldiers in (MSgt) Farleys Special Operations Team. (MSgt) Farleys most intense firefight of the deployment occurred the last day ashore in Lebanon. A six-hour firefight broke out along the entire airport perimeter. Not long after, (MSgt) Farley, and his now 2 member team, Where Mountain side outside the perimeter on recon and Sniper duty. During an attack, they were hit with heavy mortar fire, Where (MSgt) Farley was knocked unconscious and injured, He had sustained severe head and leg trauma. The 2 men were later picked up by a US Navy Medical helicopter and transported to the Navy ships medical unit stationed nearby. After spending some time in The 59th Medical Wing, 27th Special Operations Medical Group-Cannon Air Force Base Medical Facility, And The, Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center. (MSgt) Farley was stable and in good physical condition, But could not recall any past incidents. (MSgt) Farley Quotes: "I have been aching to remember my service in more depth and detail. I wish I knew. All I know is that I “ranked at the top of the class” While my only surviving brother remembers vivid details of our days in Beirut. For the life of me, I cannot shake it off. Whatever happened to my memories" I thank him for sharing stories and photos of our past. And being there to accepting this award for me. For I could not make the trip myself at that time. (MSgt) Mark L. Farley (Retired) Now lives back in his hometown in Massachusetts. (town withheld by his wishes)
(MSgt) Farley also Requested to the board that his service record be sealed following this award, Where he Quotes: "I will spend my remaining days in the cradle of the American Industrial Revolution. Where some may remember my past, Yet i do not". ----------------------------------------------- (Submitted by:..Air Force News, 1989) Back and leg fractures along with Dissociative amnesia caused by a combat-related incident ended (MSgt) Farley"s Air Force career. (MSgt) Farley Stated: "I knew shortly after the accident my career in the Air Force was over. After five combat deployments and the experience of participating in real-world combat missions, Operating and training with other combat units like the Navy Seals, the Army's Special Forces, and the Rangers, As well as other forces within and outside of the Department of Defense, I realized that I wouldn't have those kinds of experiences again," However, to his surprise, the Air Force had other plans for him after his separation. Following his separation, he received a phone call from the US Air Force His combat-related injuries made him eligible for inductee into the USSOCOM Commando Hall of Honor.