Post office named after fallen soldier

For many residents of  South Los Angeles, Staff Sergeant First Class  John W. Marshall is remembered as a hero.
Marshall, who was a  resident of South Los Angeles and a 27-year-veteran of the United States  Army, was a devoted husband, father and soldier. Marshall reenlisted in  the army at the age of 50 after being notified that the unit he had  trained was being deployed to Iraq.
While stationed in Baghdad,  Marshall made the ultimate sacrifice when his convoy was ambushed.
One  of the soldiers guns jammed during intense fighting, said James  Marshall, Johns brother.  But my brother had the stamina, courage and  fortitude to remove the soldier. Then he climbed on top of the grenade  launcher and continued firing until he was killed.
After he was  slain in 2003, the United States Army awarded Marshall the Silver Star  for his bravery.  His body was laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery.   Marshall left behind a wife and seven children.
Marshall received  another honor Tuesday when the former Hancock Station post office at  82nd Street and Vermont Avenue was renamed the John W. Marshall Post  Office.
Red white and blue balloons decorated the newly named  facility as friends and family gathered to pay tribute to the veteran  soldier. Carson Mayor Jim Dear and Percy Pinckney, senior field deputy  for Senator Dianne Feinstein, praised Marshalls bravery and sacrifice.
Robert  Marshall, 31, recalls that his father was a good role model.
I  really loved that the community came out and  supported the dedication  of the post office, said Robert.  I was happy that my family was in  attendance and that several elected officials showed up.  It brought a  lot of joy to my heart.
Laura Marshall, 20, felt that the dedication  to her father was wonderful.  It was a great way to commemorate my  fathers memory as well as all of the soldiers who were killed in Iraq,  she said.