VIETNAM - MARTIN, JOHN JR

Martin, John Jr

VIETNAM - MARTIN, JOHN JR
MARTIN, JOHN JR

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

View this soldier‘s Find a Grave page (opens in a new window)

Vietnam Veterans Memorial panel and row: 33E 058 (view Vietnam Veterans Memorial link in a new window)

 

BRONZE STAR MEDAL

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)