By day, Mark Sowash operates the hyperbaric chamber at the Bon Secours St. Francis Eastside Wound Healing Center. This important role helps patients heal through a noninvasive, painless therapy that increases oxygen in the blood so it can be delivered to damaged tissue.
However, when not at work, Mark still uses his specialized skills to help people.
Mark’s journey began with his military service, where he spent nine years on active duty and two years in the Navy Reserves. During this time, he worked alongside some of the world’s greatest divers, honing his skills in hyperbaric medicine and diving.
Now, those skills are making him an integral part of a new mission for Legion Undersea Services and Project Recover, a leading nonprofit dedicated to locating and repatriating the 81,500 American service members still missing in action.
With more than 100 missions in 24 countries, they have discovered more than 75 aircraft and accounted for more than 80 MIAs. Their partner, Legion Undersea Services, led by retired US Navy divers, handles the underwater recovery missions. By 2025, they anticipate identifying 26 additional MIAs through collaboration with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).
Currently, Mark is on a mission to recover the remains of United States service members whose planes crashed in the western Pacific Ocean during World War II. As a former Navy hospital corpsman and deep-sea diving medical technician, Mark brings a wealth of experience to the mission, which involves diving deep into the ocean to search for and recover remains. He will also be a crucial part of the medical team, operating the hyperbaric chamber for the diving operations and helping ensure the safety of all divers and team members.
In preparation for this latest dive, Mark has maintained his certifications in hyperbaric medicine and obtained additional certifications, including certified hyperbaric technologist (CHT) and national registered emergency medical technician (EMT). He has also focused on staying physically fit and ready for any situation that may arise. With both of his grandfathers having served in the military along with his personal service, he feels a strong connection to the task at hand.
“I, along with Project Recover and Legion Undersea Services, are committed to recovering our service members and bringing them home,” he shares. “This mission means so much to me and the families who have lost loved ones serving our country and keeping America safe and free. I am humbled and honored to bring them home.”
Our ministry is proud to have Mark as part of our team, as he is doing a great job of living out our mission of being good help to those in need.
Learn more about our mission at Bon Secours, as well as the health care services we provide.
