Korean War vet finally comes home
Martin was killed in action 68 years ago
SCHUYLERVILLE, N.Y. >> A Northumberland man killed 68 years ago during the Korean War was finally laid to rest with full military honors during recent ceremonies at Prospect Hill Cemetery, in Schuylerville.
Pfc. John William Martin served with the Marines during World War II and enlisted in the army in April 1950 – shortly before the Korean War began – with the Medical Company, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.
On Dec. 2, 1950, he was declared missing in action following the infamous Battle of Chosin Reservoir, where Americans were greatly outnumbered by their Chinese enemy during brutally-cold conditions.
Martin’s name did not appear on any prisoner of war lists, and no returning prisoners of war reported that he had been captured. Based on this information, he was declared deceased as of Dec. 31, 1951, at age 24.
In 1956, his remains were declared non-recoverable.
In September 2001, during the 25th Joint Recovery Operation, a burial site located at the Chosin Reservoir, in the vicinity of where Martin’s unit fought during the war, was excavated. The remains were brought to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency laboratory for identification.
To identify Martin’s remains, scientists from the agency and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used DNA analysis, anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial and material evidence.
His remains were confirmed on September 24, 2018.
Officials said that key to the identification of Martin’s remains was a DNA sample provided by one of Martin’s brothers, who died in 2012 without ever knowing that his contribution helped confirm the identity of his lost brother.
Martin’s name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing in Honolulu, along with the others who are missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Today, 7,675 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War.
Martin’s awards include the Purple Heart, the Army Good Combat Ribbon, the Combat Medical Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean War Service Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Soldiers from the modern-day 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, part of the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, met with the family to present them with Martin’s Purple Heart.
“He was wounded trying to help other wounded Soldiers and he died there,” said Tamaris Dolton, John Martin’s niece. “It is a complete and total relief to know that he did do good; he didn’t die in vain.”
Born on Feb. 2, 1927, Martin is
predeceased by his parents, George and Nellie Baker Martin; as well as two sisters, Irma Martin and Eleanor Santore; brothers, Charles (Pepper) Martin, Douglas Martin and Robert Martin; and two nephews, Craig Martin, and Michael Martin.
Martin’s remains were accompanied home by his great-grandnephew, Airman Schuyler Dolton. “Grandma never stopped talking about him,” Dolton said. “She died in 1973, and until then, she just waited.”
Major General Ray Shields, adjutant general of New York, presented an American flag to the surviving family, which include five nieces and five nephews; as well as 20 grandnieces and grandnephews.
Members of the New York Army National Guard’s Honor Guard along with local soldiers and officials attended Martin’s burial service.
“The service was unique in its own way,” said New York Army National Guard Spc. Emanuel Negron an Honor Guard member. “The family can finally have closure. I have been a part of many modified full honors and by far this one hit home.”