Rank: Private First Class
Unit: H Company, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 11E – Armor Crewman
Awards: Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges: Combat Infantryman Badge
Unit awards: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Note: Operation Fargo
Enlisted by: Regular
Date of birth: 29-May-1949
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Marital status: Never Married
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Start of tour: 31-Aug-1967
Incident date: 6-Jan-1968
Date of casualty: 6-Jan-1968
Age at death: 18
Cause of death: Hostile, died. Explosive Device. Other explosive device.
John Martin Jr died from wounds received while a passenger in a tank on a combat operation when the vehicle was hit by a rifle phosphorous grenade.
Three Blackhorse troopers died in this incident:
PFC Troy Cleveland Battles
PFC John Martin Jr
CPL Jerry Wayne Wickam
Location of fatality: Binh Long, South Vietnam
Place of interment: Philadelphia National Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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BRONZE STAR MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JOHN MARTIN JR
6 JANUARY 1968
H COMPANY, 2nd SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Private First Class Martin distinguished himself by valorous actions on 6 January 1968, while serving as a loader on a tank participating on a search and destroy mission southwest of Loc Ninh, Vietnam. During the operation, it was Private Martin’s responsibility to observe the rear and flanks of the tank in order to provide security for the tank commander in the event of an enemy attack. During the morning hours, the company encountered a well-armed Viet Cong force who directed a withering barrage of small arms, RPG-2 rockets, and automatic weapons fire upon the approaching vehicles. Reacting instantly, Private Martin began delivering a devastating volume of highly accurate suppressive fire upon the Viet Cong positions, affording the tank commander time to analyze the situation. Suddenly, the tank upon which he was riding received a direct hit from an enemy rocket round, injuring several crew members and mortally wounding Private Martin. His aggressive determination and extreme courage were an inspiration to all those with whom he served and contributed significantly to the defeat of the hostile force. Private First Class Martin’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division General Orders No. 423 (26 January 1968)