This cache is part of the Linn Creek Trail: Marshalltown History series. Follow the bike trail to a series of caches highlighting prominent figures in Marshalltown history. Each cache will require you to leave the trail and search for a hidden cache. The caches in this series vary in difficulty and terrain.
LCpl Darwin Judge (1956-1975)LCpl Darwin Judge was one of the last two Killed In Action serviceman in the Vietnam War. LCpl Judge was born and raised in Marshalltown, Iowa. He was an Eagle Scout in Troop 310 and a fine young man of the community. He completed Marine Corps Boot Camp and Marine Security Guard School before shipping to Saigon, R. Vietnam as a Marine Security Guard to the American Embassy. LCpl Judge was killed by a rocket attack from Five NVA Divisions defending the Defense Attaché Building on Tan Son Nhut airbase.
Darwin lived the Scout oath by serving others here in Marshalltown as a youth, and by serving God and his country in the Marine Corps. As reported by Marine Doug Potratz, one of Darwin’s last acts was to assist Potratz in the evacuation of his three-year-old daughter, Becky. LCpl Judge placed Becky on his back and got her safely to the plane shortly before the rocket attack. Darwin paid the ultimate price in serving his country, thinking of others before himself.