Earl Shark was reportedly wounded in the torso on September 12, 1968, while serving as Pointman on a reconnaissance mission near Loc Ninh, South Vietnam. His comrades were unable to reach him and the unit was forced to withdraw. Two days later a search of the area revealed only his helmet and part of a canteen. He was held by the enemy until his death in captivity, believed to have occurred later that month. His remains have never been recovered.