In this clip, Martin recounts his actions with the 1st Cavalry Division during Operation Shiny Bayonet in October of 1965.
Martin enlisted in the Army in 1963, did four tours in Vietnam, earned a Silver Star, three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star with “V”; survived combat operations with the 1st Cavalry Division in 1965, a stint walking point with a recon platoon in the 101st Airborne Division, a tour advising with Special Forces, and another carrying out search-and-destroy missions with the 173rd Airborne. After the war, he stayed in the Army and retired in 1983.
VIDEO HERE (29:09 minutes)
Did you know there was 131 MOHs awarded in the Korean conflict?
ReplyDeleteMy dad was awarded all of the medals plus Silver Star w/3 oak clusters and Bronze with one oak cluster.
ReplyDeleteAge 17, hand to hand combat. His first Silver Star was from running towards action under fire to drive an ambulance through a minefield after seeing the driver shot and killed. No V as far as I recall. Three years high school ROTC straight to Pendleton, then Korea. Made Sgt in first tour.
Made SSgt during 2nd tour Korea just before age 19. Three tours VN, often leading patrols. 22 years Marine active duty. Was one of eight Marines featured in Life magazine for reupping to rotate back to 'finish the business of killing communists'. Dad suffered the effects of frost bit feet all of his days. Also, he never forgot the faces of the two he killed in h-t-h. Damn fine man although a rough SOB. Proud to call him dad.
I used to complain somewhat that he wasn't recognized more. Some Korea and VN vets set me straight on that. Your buddies are worth more than another medal. But I wouldn't fault family or friends wanting the MOH for the man.
There is no Valor designation for the Sliver Star, if you are awarded it it is for valor in combat. The reason certain medals like the BS have the V device is because the award can also be for non combat related achievements. Just look at Ron Desantis, they tout how he was awarded a BS while serving with Navy Seals, he was a JAG officer lawyer and did not see combat. The best way to tell if a BS is awarded for valor, outside the V designation is if the sailor of marine are wearing a Combat Action Ribbon or if a Soldier he has one of the Combat Action Badges also. I don't know what the wingnuts use to designate a combat veteran.
ReplyDeleteJK Navy EOD