MARK C. SAGERHOLM, CAPT, USMC
Mark Sagerholm '83
Lucky Bag
From the 1983 Lucky Bag:
Mark C. Sagerholm
Rectortown, Virginia
Sags
Mark, a Navy junior, came to the Academy via the NAPS route. Due to his height, the tallest member of our class in our company, he marched in the front during the plebe summer scene and some of his NAPS experience showed through. Despite the efforts of the "Big Red" hungarian to step on his feet everytime a change of course was made (Big Red never did get over that) Mark survived with only a couple of bruises. Sorry Big Red, but it was your turn. Sags flew right into his academic studies. Although at times it seemed like he was flying in the opposite direction, Sags was able to maintain the grades for everyone's ultimate goal, graduation. Mark’s romantic blessings surfaced during plebe summer as he had to be reprimanded for a special friendship, but wrongfully charged, right Mark, oh sure. But who can blame the Swedish prince. Many times women were simply drawn to his magnetism. Indeed, the tester made his mark on the social scene in Annapolis. A weekend venture to Marymount college finally served to tame the prince for the remainder of his reign at the Academy, the Swedish prince found his princess. After graduation, Mark won't be as free to undertake his favorite pastimes such as surfing, sleeping, and looking in the mirror. Carla has taken control of him now. With Mark planning on entering the M.C. it appears as though he may have to experience the traumas of a shaved head once again. Don’t worry Sags, it only took eight months to grow back the first time. At any rate, we're all sure that this future mellow Marine will make his impact on the corps as he has on all of us the past four years, good luck as a married man. —C.S.A.
Mark C. Sagerholm
Rectortown, Virginia
Sags
Mark, a Navy junior, came to the Academy via the NAPS route. Due to his height, the tallest member of our class in our company, he marched in the front during the plebe summer scene and some of his NAPS experience showed through. Despite the efforts of the "Big Red" hungarian to step on his feet everytime a change of course was made (Big Red never did get over that) Mark survived with only a couple of bruises. Sorry Big Red, but it was your turn. Sags flew right into his academic studies. Although at times it seemed like he was flying in the opposite direction, Sags was able to maintain the grades for everyone's ultimate goal, graduation. Mark’s romantic blessings surfaced during plebe summer as he had to be reprimanded for a special friendship, but wrongfully charged, right Mark, oh sure. But who can blame the Swedish prince. Many times women were simply drawn to his magnetism. Indeed, the tester made his mark on the social scene in Annapolis. A weekend venture to Marymount college finally served to tame the prince for the remainder of his reign at the Academy, the Swedish prince found his princess. After graduation, Mark won't be as free to undertake his favorite pastimes such as surfing, sleeping, and looking in the mirror. Carla has taken control of him now. With Mark planning on entering the M.C. it appears as though he may have to experience the traumas of a shaved head once again. Don’t worry Sags, it only took eight months to grow back the first time. At any rate, we're all sure that this future mellow Marine will make his impact on the corps as he has on all of us the past four years, good luck as a married man. —C.S.A.
Loss
Mark was lost on December 30, 1987 when the OV-10 Bronco he was aboard crashed during a training exercise about 30 miles east of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, California. The pilot was also killed; they were members of Marine Observation Squadron (VMO) 2.
Other Information
From the Los Angeles Times on January 1, 1988:
Military investigators searched through rubble Thursday for hints of what caused a Camp Pendleton-based Marine reconnaissance plane to crash in the rolling desert hills while on a "navigational" flight near Twentynine Palms.
The pilot and the observer in the propeller-driven OV-10 Bronco were killed in Wednesday's crash.
The pilot was identified as 1st Lt. Gregg A. Rodler, 29, of Pittsburgh. The second Marine in the aircraft, an observer, was identified as 1st Lt. Mark C. Sagerholm, 27, of Rectortown, Va., Marine Sgt. Jeri Van Duzen said.
The plane was on a low-level run. Its altitude was last reported at about 200 feet. The pilot never indicated that he was having any mechanical problems, Marine officers said.
Maj. Gen. D.E.P. Miller, who viewed the accident site 30 miles east of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, said there were "indentations" in the earth where the plane struck three times, strewing a path of wreckage 200 meters long and 50 meters wide.
But there were no parts of the plane in the holes, indicating that the plane was not in a steep dive when it crashed, he said. Its speed at the time of the accident was estimated at 180-200 m.p.h.
There was a small fire after the crash, but it was confined to one wing. The plane, according to witnesses, was in a slight "nose-down" position when last seen.
Another OV-10 assigned to the Marine Observation Squadron 2 at Camp Pendleton was flying with the downed aircraft Wednesday and reported the crash. The observation squadron is part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in Orange County.
Miller, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said Rodler had a superb reputation in the squadron and Sagerholm was a senior observer in the squadron.
"There was no indication that the pilot and the observer attempted to eject from the plane," Miller said.
Miller said the weather was almost perfect, with light, variable winds and almost unlimited visibility, when the accident occurred.
He said communications from the aircraft just before the crash did not indicate that it was having mechanical problems.
"We just don't know what happened yet," Miller said. "The accident team is sifting through the pieces, attempting to put the pieces of the puzzle together."
It could be weeks before investigators know why the plane crashed.
The two-seat aircraft is used for reconnaissance, to control air strikes, artillery and naval gunfire, and to escort helicopters. It can also be used for low-level photography. The OV-10 is manufactured by Rockwell International.
Miller said the plane was not carrying any ammunition or rockets when it crashed, making an in-flight explosion unlikely.
"It is a terrible way to end the year," Miller said.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Mark was an usher at his sister Lisa Marie’s wedding in November 1978 to Lt. (j.g.) Kenneth Richard Hunter at the Naval Academy Chapel. The best man was Lt. (j.g.) Samuel Bonnano. Other ushers were Lt. Gary Archibald, Lt. Timothy G. Dobrovolny, Lt. James Duffy, and Lt. (j.g.) Joseph Foster.
He was survived by his son, Major Dane Sagerholm, USMC, USNA '08, his parents VADM James (USNA '52) and Margaret Sagerholm, and three sisters.
Mark is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Photographs
From the 1983 Lucky Bag.
Memorial Hall Error
Mark is listed in Memorial Hall as a 1st Lieutenant. His headstone in Arlington National Cemetery lists him as a Captain; suspect posthumous promotion. The Alumni Association database lists him as a Captain; his father's class column in the March 1988 edition of Shipmate also identifies him as such.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
