UNIONDALE, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 14, 2026 / Marquis Who's Who honors Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mark James Denger as a Top Professional for his contributions to military history preservation.

Chief Historian Leads Efforts to Protect California's Military Heritage

Mr. Denger brings more than three decades of military, aerospace and museum leadership experience to his role as chief historian. He transitioned from a career in the U.S. Navy to focus on the preservation and restoration of historical records. Today, he ensures that history is accurately documented and accessible for the future.

An Early Connection to the Military

For Mr. Denger, preserving military history is both a profession and a personal calling. Raised in a family whose military lineage predates the founding of the nation, Mr. Denger's earliest exposure to history came not from books, but from artifacts passed down through generations. Among them were a flintlock from the American Revolution, a Civil War-era saber, and his grandfather's World War II pilot's uniform and campaign medals. His father's service as a firefighter and member of the California National Guard further instilled a sense of duty and public service at an early age.

Service Runs Deep

Although Mr. Denger initially aspired to a career in photography and dreamed of becoming a photojournalist, financial barriers to higher education led him to enlist in the U.S. Navy. Influenced by his grandfather's aviation service, he was first drawn to military aviation but ultimately chose submarine service after hearing firsthand accounts from a submariner during the recruitment process.

He trained in advanced electronics and satellite communications and served with distinction aboard the nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine USS Permit (SSN-594). The technical expertise and operational experience he gained during this assignment would later prove transformative in his civilian career.

From Aerospace to History

After leaving active duty, Mr. Denger entered the aerospace industry, working as a buyer, materials manager, and special projects manager. His work supported major national programs, including the Space Shuttle Orbiter, the Global Positioning Satellite program and the development of the International Space Station.

During this period, his growing interest in military history led him to author his first book-an inflection point that redirected his professional focus toward museum management, archival preservation, and historical research.

That path ultimately brought him back into uniform with the California Guard. While managing the American Heritage Library and Museum, he was assigned to the California Center for Military History in support of the California State Military Museum. Over time, Mr. Denger served in a wide range of roles, including archivist, registrar, curator, and research historian. These experiences culminated in his work on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Formerly Used Defense Sites program and, in 2013, his appointment as curator of the California State Military Museum.

Preserving History Under Threat

With his assignment to the Military Museum Command in 2019, Mr. Denger was appointed project development manager for the California Military Department's Heritage Emergency Response Team (HERT). The team works statewide to protect museums and cultural collections threatened by fires, earthquakes, floods, and other disasters. With more than 6,700 museums across California at risk, HERT's mission is both urgent and expansive. "The loss of a single artifact," Mr. Denger notes, "is the loss of a piece of history." That reality continues to drive HERT's work and underscores the importance of rapid response and professional preparedness.

Looking Ahead

In 2024, Mr. Denger was appointed chief historian of the California Military Department. In addition to his historical duties with the Military Museum Command, he continues to lead the development of HERT, safeguarding museums and veterans' artifacts across the state. "Every artifact represents someone's service," he says. "When we lose one, we lose part of their story."

As he looks toward retirement, Mr. Denger remains focused on building a lasting emergency preparedness within California's museum and emergency management community. Through partnerships with the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Smithsonian Institution, he is helping train the next generation of museum professionals in emergency planning, response, and recovery-ensuring that California's military heritage endures for generations to come.

About Marquis Who's Who^®:

Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America^®, Marquis Who's Who^® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America^® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms worldwide. The suite of Marquis^® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who^® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

Marquis Who's Who
Uniondale, NY
(844) 394 - 6946
info@marquiswhoswho.com
www.marquiswhoswho.com

SOURCE: Marquis Who's Who