On the recordFebruary 22, 2010
it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to pay tribute to the life and service of Army SPC Marc P. Decoteau of Waterville Valley, NH. Tragically, this young soldier, just 19 years old, died while serving as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Wardak Province, Afghanistan on January 29, 2010. Specialist Decoteau was a member of the 6th Psychological Operations Battalion, 4th Psychological Operations Group based at Fort Bragg, NC. He had been deployed in Afghanistan less than 1 month at the time of his death. Specialist Decoteau enlisted in the Army shortly after his graduation from Plymouth Regional High School in 2008. He made this honorable decision without reservation, having long declared his desire to serve. Marc followed in the footsteps of his father, an Army veteran and West Point graduate. His decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Marc was posthumously awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and NATO Medal. Despite his young age, Specialist Decoteau left an indelible mark on those who knew him. Marc was an upstanding young man with an infectious sense of humor and warm smile. His hometown of Waterville Valley is an exceptionally tight-knit community of just 340 residents, and he was an integral member of it.
