Passengers said the soldier did not raise a fuss and quietly returned to his seat. Some of them offered him their seat in first class but the soldier wouldn't take their seats.
"He was more than willing to take his seat. He was not going to make an issue of it. It was us in first class that made an issue out of it," said Kirby.
Marle's parents told Eyewitness News their son's uniform is very important to him. He's been wearing it on job interviews across the country pursuing his dream to be a doctor.
A U.S. Airways spokesperson said they are trying to reach Marle to thank him for his service.
"It may not have seemed like a big deal and he certainly wouldn't have made a big deal about it but it's important someone stands up and says this is not correct it needs to be fixed," said Kirby.
Marle's family didn't want to comment and said he doesn't want to attract any more attention to himself.
U.S. Airways stressed it values service members and said they consider this a serious issue.
Channel 9 reached out to officials at Fort Bragg about what the medals on his uniform would mean.
Officials responded, "What I can tell you is he is, according to the insignias on his uniform, he is Ranger qualified (black and gold metal banner on his left pocket flap), he is Pathfinder qualified (metal insignia with the gold wing), he is Air Assault qualified (silver metal insignia with the wings and front view of a helicopter), he is Special Forces trained and most likely in a SF unit (aqua and gold metal banner over the Ranger banner/he is currently serving in an airborne unit (silver jump wings above his ribbons)/SF unit crest designating his unit affiliation (metal insignia to the right of his right lapel)."
Marle's family didn't want to comment and said he doesn't want to attract any more attention to himself.
U.S. Airways stressed it values service members and said they consider this a serious issue.
Damn sad treatment of this Trooper.
For some reason, the ignorance and rudeness always surprise me...just when you think you have heard it all....
I think Marle handled it perfectly. The airline owes him more than an apology. It's not the airlines fault, either. Just some unhappy flight attendant.
He is a class act for sure!!
Holy crap Forestman - with all his qualifications, he could've wiped her out with his eyelids - she's lucky tobe alive.
I don't know, but U. S. Airways and Southwest have the worst reputations when dealing with the military - or, even people, for that matter.
Wonder what the issue is????
Hard telling...