Grave marker for Pfc Marcus A. Tynes in the Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial Park & Mortuary, Riverside (Riverside County), California

He died of wounds sustained in Zabul Province, Afghanistan when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

Marcus attended Valley View High School where he played basketball, football and got involved in the Police Explorers program. A change for the good came over him when he was in a uniform whether it was a basketball, football or track. But a new version of Marcus emerged when he put on the Police Explorers uniform. He became more serious, volunteered for extra tasks and would encourage his fellow Explorersa to keep up their grades. The uniforms seemed to transform this good natured but unruly kid into a dedicated young man – they seemed to give him a sense of pride and belonging. While in school, parents, coaches and teachers began talking to Marcus about his future. His Explorer advisor and football coach thought the military was a good choice for this bright but hard to contain young man – Marcus agreed. He knew his poor grades would jeopardize any military and law enforcement dreams he had so he stepped up and graduated in June 2008.

In July he signed on with the Army and left for his first Afghanistan tour in September 2009. Marcus was funny, loved to tell jokes and loved to laugh – always with a smile on his face. He was loving, cared about other people and had a good heart. After serving his time in the military, he wanted to become a Los Angeles Police Department SWAT officer. Just before leaving for Afghanistan, Marcus went back to visit his high school wearing his camouflage gear. The Army had made a man out of a rambunctious kid. He was now calm, mature and very proud of his new life – Private First Class. Rifleman.