Sam Marshall Catlin (5-10-1920 – 6-9-2011) was a lifelong resident of Jacksonville. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Marcy; 3 sons, The Rev. Sam Catlin, Harold (Juli), and Bruce (Melinda); 4 grandchildren, Jean, Marshall, Hampton, and Davis; and 4 great-grandchildren. A member of the 1st school boy patrol in Jax at Fishweir Elementary, he later graduated from John Gorrie and Robert E. Lee. During high school he drove in professional car races on Jacksonville Beach until his father found out about these weekend activities. He attended The Citadel until leaving to enlist in the Navy. On his second solo during Flight Elimination School outside Atlanta, Marshall decided to perform aerobatics including Immelmans, loops, etc. Unfortunately he lost sight of the field and began flying search patterns. Seeing a landing strip in the distance, he landed at Atlanta airport which was under construction. A bulldozer operator pointed the direction to the proper field. By the time he arrived back, he executed a night landing. At a Court of Inquiry the next day, the 2 Navy officers wanted to wash him out. The Marine officer said it was as good a night landing that he’d seen and that the Marines wanted anybody who could perform aerobatics and night landing on their 2nd solo. Marshall proudly served as a Marine fighter pilot. Marshall completed flight training at Jax NAS and Pensacola. Ultimately he was assigned to Marine VMF-111 (the Devil Dogs) where he flew a Corsair F4U-1 on almost 100 combat missions in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands. These were primarily dive bombing/strafing against enemy fortified islands. As a result of his successfully dive bombing an enemy gun emplacement within a cave, he was awarded the Air Medal by Admiral Chester Nimintz. After 1 year fighting in the Pacific, he was assigned to Cherry Point, NC where he taught combat techniques to Marine aviators. After the war, he remained in Marine Reserve Squadron VMF-144 at Jax NAS. Individually reactivated to active duty during the Korean War, he flew Marine troop transport planes and retired as a Major. Between 1945 and 1972, he was an owner of Studebaker, Packard, and Volkswagen dealerships. Thereafter, he was actively engaged in commercial and residential real estate. Ten days prior to his death, medical staff asked his occupation prior to retirement. He responded asking who said I retired. Marshall was proud of his individual and his family’s heritage of service. His 4th great-grandfather, Robert Morris signed the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution and is called The Financier of the American Revolution. His 3rd great-grandfather was the younger brother of Chief Justice John Marshall, served as an officer during the Revolutionary War, and became a major land owner in Virginia. His great-grandfather died in battle at Brandy Station, Va. while serving as an officer in the 12th Va. Calvary. Marshall was actively involved in numerous civic and professional organizations including being President of Jacksonville Automobile Dealers, Florida Automobile Dealers, and Residents Association of Wesley Manor (now Westminster Woods) A Requiem Mass was sung for the repose of his soul at St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Fredericksburg, Va., on June 13. A Memorial service will be held at Westminster Woods on Julington Creek on Saturday, June 18 at 2:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida or the Chaplain’s Fund at Westminster Woods. HARDAGE-GIDDENS OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd is serving the family. Tags: 1942
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