Mark R. Baaden - U.S. Army 1990-2024

(304th Civil Affairs Brigade, Task Force All American, 82nd Airborne Division)

Mark was born on June 10, 1972 in Manhattan and grew up in the Bronx and Yonkers, NY. He has the unique distinction of not only being a Purple Heart recipient from Operation Iraqi Freedom but also among the first responders that rushed to the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001.

Mark enrolled in the US Army Reserve Officer Training program at Fordham University in September 1990. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry in May 1994. He served on active duty and then in the NY Army National Guard as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and an Officer Candidate School Instructor. During that time, he became a New York State Trooper with the New York State Police in January 1996.

On September 11, 2001, Mark was assigned just north of New York City when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center that morning. He was part of a contingent of New York State Troopers that responded immediately to assist with rescue and recovery operations.

Mark was mobilized to active duty shortly after that tragic day as a Captain in the US Army Reserve. He deployed as a Civil Affairs Team Leader attached to 5th Special Forces Group for the invasion of Iraq in March of 2003. During that tour, Mark was awarded two Bronze Stars and an Army Commendation Medal for Valor. Before he was to rotate home, a vehicle borne suicide bomber obtained access to Camp Champion, which was the 82nd Airborne Division Headquarters in Ramadi, Iraq and detonated the vehicle wounding Mark, numerous others, and killing one US Soldier.

Mark suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury, burns, and broken bones, and was unconscious for nearly an hour. He awoke in the Camp Champion Troop Medical Clinic to learn what had just occurred. He was treated locally and returned to light duty as was the practice at that time (that has since been corrected with the advancement of understanding of the short and long term effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries [TBI’s]).

Upon return home in 2004, Mark had to completely re-qualify medically, physically, and cognitively to continue service with the New York State Police. He and his family worked hard to get him back to full and strenuous duty to continue to serve in the US Army Reserve and the New York State Police.

Mark was determined to keep serving in both uniforms and deployed back to Iraq in 2007 to 2009 and served as a Civil Affairs Company Commander in Baghdad, Iraq and earned his third Bronze Star Medal. He went on to serve in Kunar Province, Afghanistan in 2011 to 2012 as a Civil Affairs Detachment Commander earning his fourth Bronze Star Medal. In 2016 to 2017 he served in Mogadishu, Somalia where he earned a Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

During his final years in the US Army Reserve, Mark served as a Battalion Commander, Brigade Commander, Command Level Operations Officer, and Chief of Staff, and graduated from the US Army War College in 2018. He retired honorably as a Colonel from the US Army Reserve in June 2024.

Mark also retired from the New York State Police as a Zone Sergeant in June 2021, but continued to serve as a part-time Police Officer in the Village of Fishkill, NY until August 2024. He has had a home in Viera, FL since 2021 and finally moved from NY to FL permanently in September 2024.

Mark resides at the Military retirement community of Indian River Colony Club and became certified in Florida to serve as a Law Enforcement Officer in 2023 based on his credentials, experience from New York, and passing the Equivalency Training Program in 2023.

He continues to serve the community currently as a Lieutenant with the City of Cocoa Police Department. He is a proud member of numerous Veterans Service Organizations that include the Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Mark’s US Army awards include four Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart Medal, the Defense Meritorious Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, Army Commendation Medal for Valor, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge in Gold, and the French Parachutist Badge.

His Police awards include NY State Trooper of the Year, NY State Police Supervisor of the Year, Distinguished Marksman (Device), 9/11 Responder (Device), and Crisis Negotiator (certification).

Mark knows that every day is a blessing and gift from God. As Combat Veterans we live out our remaining days on earth conducting ourselves in ways that honor our brothers and sisters that fell in battle. They gave up all of their tomorrows so that we may have ours.

Thank you to Brevard Veterans Memorial Center in Merritt Island, FL for inviting USA Warrior Stories to record this interview.