Mark J. Maynard is a submarine veteran of three wars - World War II, Korea and Vietnam and made the transition from Diesel Boats to Nuclear Power.
Mark was born on August 24, 1924, Sumner, Washington. He attended high school in Olympia. After observing sailors on liberty when he was very young, "joining the Navy" was one of his first goals. In 1936, two "S" boats paid a visit to Port of Olympia and the idea of becoming a submariner was formed.
When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Mark was too young to enlist and it was October 6, 1942 before he was able to be sworn in for a six year regular Navy cruise. It turned into a 30 year career. He volunteered for submarine duty and graduated Sub School, New London, Connecticut in June of 1943. He was assigned to Relief Crew in PHTH and then to USS STURGEON (SS-187) for two successful patrols. At that time the STURGEON returned to San Francisco for over-hauling in August, 1944, and he was transferred to the USS MARLIN (SS-205)and later to the USS COBBLER (SS-344). Served aboard the USS CUSK (SS-348), USS CAPITAINE (SS-336), USS SPERRY (AS-12) and then in 1958, he went to Nuclear Power School and was assigned to the USS SARGO (SSN-583) during a north pole trip under the ice in February 1960. He was commissioned in June 1962 and was assigned to various submarine repair activities. During this period Mark was assigned to approximately 65 different submarines as part of the Board of Inspection & Survey (INSURV Board). He retired on November 1, 1972 as a Lieutenant. Mark then went to college and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration from California State University, Long Beach, in 1976. He became a Real Estate Broker and subsequently a operator of a Honey Baked Ham store. He retired again in 1986 at the age of 62.
Mark married Janice (Lowdermilk) Maynard in September of 1944. They have two children, Janice K. and Loren Steven, two grandsons, Mike and John. Mark joined the Los Angeles Area "Diesel Boaters" Chapter of U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II after retiring from the Navy and has served in various offices in that organization, including Chapter President and as Memorial Director, National Submarine Veterans Memorial - West at Seal Beach. Mark plans on being the "last living U.S. Submarine Veteran of World War II."
