War in Iraq Claims Student from HBCU

Mark Anthony Bibby

A student at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro who was called to active duty in January has been killed in Iraq, becoming what is believed to be the first student at a historically black college or university to be among the fatalities.

Spec. Mark Anthony Bibby, 25, who studied transportation in A&T’s School of Business and Economics, was killed July 21 when he was traveling in the lead Humvee of a convoy headed toward a water treatment facility in Baghdad, according to news reports, and a roadside bomb detonated, killing Bibby and his interpreter and injuring three other soldiers.

The military said an Iraqi bystander helped pull the Americans from their Humvees, saving the life of at least one of them, according to the Associated Press.

Jean and Eustace Bibby have another son, 27-year-old Eustace Jr., known as Tony, a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Navy stationed in California. Jean Bibby said that the family recently learned that their eldest child is scheduled to be deployed to another military hotspot and now are trying to have the deployment of their surviving son deferred. They are looking to Rep. Mike McIntyre, D-N.C., for help.

Meanwhile, A&T is making plans to honor Mark Bibby, and in his hometown of Watha, N.C., where he was known as a dedicated Christian and good Samaritan, Pender High school officials are working to establish a scholarship fund in his honor.

“Mark was an All-American guy,” said Preston Wells, director of student services for the Pender County school system’s central office and the family spokesman. “He was a sports hero in this neighborhood, and his family is a very traditional and good Southern family. They are just wonderful people, and he was a young man of impeccable character and a good Samaritan. It’s no surprise that he served with the 422nd Civil Battalion from Fort Bragg. He was the quintessential humanitarian and felt like his mission in Iraq was greater than Saddam. It was to help people who had been oppressed for years.”

“We have started a scholarship fund in Mark’s memorial for an aspiring ROTC student,” Wells added.

The U.S. Army Special Operations Command said the Reserves’ 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion was deployed to Iraq to participate in the coalition effort to assist the Iraqi people in rebuilding. Bibby was a chemical-operations specialist trained in nuclear, biological and chemical detection and decontamination.

“He was one of the most . . . respectful and well-mannered young men I’ve ever met,” said Cathy Cornelius, a 23-year employee at A&T who met Bibby in the Department of Economics and Transportation Logistics, where she works as an administrative assistant.

“He was a very focused young man and just very nice. He’d often come by my office just to see me and talk to me, and I was very upset when he came to my office to withdraw from the university because I knew of the challenges that he’d face,” said Cornelius.

Mable Scott, the university spokeswoman, said that A&T would offer counseling to any students and staff members who needed to talk. Chancellor James C. Renick issued a statement stating, “We are deeply saddened by this news regarding one of our brave, young students.”

Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. on July 30 at the Pender High school gymnasium.

In Watha, a small town in Eastern North Carolina, Bibby was as a local hero to some. At Pender High, Bibby participated in track, basketball and ROTC.

His sister, Christina Bibby, 19, is a rising junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “He always gave and was willing to go help someone,” she said. He was a very good role model for me while I was growing up and reinforced good education to me while always being there to watch out for me.”

“I was pretty shocked” to hear the news, she said. “At first, I didn’t think it was him because we had just talked to him last week, and he didn’t tell us he was in harm’s way or anything. I guess it’s just setting in after a couple of days.”

Army reservists and ROTC students say they are acutely aware of the danger that awaits when called to war. Black and gray marble sits by A&T's memorial union to honor those lost from World War II to the Vietnam war.

“We are all mourning the loss because he is part of the Aggie family.” said Lt. Col. Larry Burnett, head of A&T’s Army ROTC program. “I have been in the military for 23 years and know what to expect and what can happen. He was young and one whose life was taken away early.”

“I feel privileged and honored to serve my country, and I understand what might happen to me,” said Deatae Allen, a senior Army ROTC student at A&T. “But I’m willing to take that risk to serve my country. Everyone is hurt by losing one of our own, but we can make ourselves stronger by his death. It makes us want to serve more for our country.”

Bibby is survived by his father, Eustace; his mother, Jean; his sister, Christina; and his brother, Tony. The family has requested contributions to the scholarship fund in lieu of flowers.

Chris Wallace is a student at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro.

Posted July 28, 2003.