Mark Daniel Leshikar was born September 20th 1984 in Elko, Nevada. Mark grew up in Pocatello, ID and Kansas City, MO. He loved to hunt, fish and excelled in academics, football and wrestling while in school. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after High School and was selected for the Air Force Honor Guard while stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. After his separation from the Air Force, Mark joined the Washington National Guard. He was intrigued by the opportunity to be with the Special Forces.
Mark entered the Army in January 2009 as a combat engineer. After basic and advanced individual training at Fort Sill, OK, he was assigned to A Co. 1-1 9 SFG, in Buckley, WA in June 2009 as a non - SF quali?ed soldier. In May 2012, Mark graduated the Special Forces Qualification Course, earning the honor to wear the Green Beret. He was assigned to A Co. 1st Battalion 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) as a Weapons Sergeant SFODA91 12.
SFC Leshikar deployed to Afghanistan in 2015 in support of RSM under SFODA 91 12. In 2017, SFC Leshikar volunteer to deploy to Tajikistan in support of OEF under SFODA 911 1. SFC Leshikar’s military education includes the Combat Engineer, Special Forces Quali?cation Course, Airborne, SERE, Special Operations Language Training - Indonesian, SFAUCC, ASOTLVL 2, Advanced Marksmanship Instructor Course, Special Forces Senior Leader Course, and the Army Advanced Land Navigation Course.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Medal for Merit, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star, National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non Commissioned Of?cer Professional Development Ribbon 3rd Award, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, USAF Basic Military Graduate Training Honor Graduate Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M-device 2nd award, USA Training Ribbon, NATO Medal, Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachute Badge.
Sgt. 1st Class Mark Leshikar, an elite and respected soldier, died when he was fatally shot by another soldier after an altercation on Wednesday evening March 21, 2018 outside Fayetteville, NC.
Mark is survived by daughter Milana, father Danny & (Sandi) Leshikar, mother Tammy (Daniel) Mabey, sister Tara Lynch, half-siblings, Nicole Hall, Zac Cotton and Ashley Cotton.
Mark greatly valued family, friendship, and loyalty. Among his fellow soldiers he was known for his strength, relentlessness, intelligence, and sense of humor. Mark had much more to give and his leaving this earth too early due to the circumstances of his death is tragic. Everyone who knew and truly loved Mark will miss him greatly.
Full Military Services were held April 2nd at Tacoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA.
- De Oppresso Liber -
