Tom Martin, United States Marine

We celebrate this Memorial Day 2010 by remembering our father, Thomas Ray Martin, and his brave service as a United States Marine during the Korean War.  Here are some photos of Tom’s life during his service to our country.

Tom is the third National Guard from the left, working crowd-control for General Douglas MacArthur. 

MacArthur was Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area during World War II.  For his defense of the Philippines, MacArthur was awarded the U.S. Medal of Honor.  He officially accepted Japan’s formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945, thus ending World War II.  MacArthur then oversaw the occupation of Japan from 1945 to 1951, during which he ushered in sweeping economic, political and social changes that helped build Japan into the global economic powerhouse it is today.  MacArthur handed over control to the Japanese government in 1949 but remained in Japan until relieved by President Truman on April 11, 1951.  (Source: Wikipedia)

MacArthur visited Milwaukee, Wisconsin just two weeks later on April 27, 1951.  He met some of the men who were under his command in the Philippines during the early months of World War II.  These men included 13 Janesville, Wisconsin survivors of the 192nd Tank Battalion (Source: Janesville Gazette).  Tom was a member of the Wisconsin National Guard and one of MacArthur’s personal guards during his visit.  Tom was stationed outside MacArthur’s door at the Pfister Hotel and worked crowd-control.

Here is Tom’s official military recruitment photo.  Tom joined the First Division Marine Corps, USMC on March 16, 1953 with a rank of Corporal.

Hazel and Tom married on June 3, 1953, six months before Tom shipped out to Korea.

Tom, Hazel’s father Fred Semke, and Hazel

Tom and his Mother Be at the wedding

Tom and his sister Diane

Hazel and Tom

Friend Carol Schweingruber (Schetter), Tom and Hazel after the rehearsal dinner on June 2.  Carol and Hazel were roommates at Columbia College of Nursing for three years.

Here is my favorite photo of Tom in Korea.  He worked in communications, and his soldier buddies used to joke that Tom “wired half of Korea.”  Tom crossed the International Date Line while on a ship headed to Korea on his birthday December 5, 1953.  Tom served in Korea for 16 months from December 1953 through March 1955.  Tom was honorably discharged from the United States Marines in March 1956.

To Tom and all the other soldiers who have sacrificed so much to serve and protect the United States of America, the greatest country on Earth:  We thank you for your service and will never forget what you have done for all of us.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!  We love and miss you, Dad!

Related posts:

1. Tom Martin Has Passed Away
2. Where Did the Name Come From?
3. Tom Martin Military Funeral Honors
4. Thomas R. Martin Memorial Guest Book
5. Auto Industry Bailout