FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Gary W Martini ~ 10 October 2016

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

Gary W. Martini

Info from here.

           

Private First Class Gary Wayne Martini (September 21, 1948 - April 21, 1967) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroism in April 1967 during the Vietnam War.

Martini was born on September 21, 1948, in Lexington, Virginia. His early education was completed in Frankford, West Virginia, where he participated in intramural sports. After moving with his parents to Charleston, West Virginia, he attended Stonewall Jackson High School through the 11th grade. His family then moved temporarily to Portland, Oregon, and Gary attended David Douglas High School until February 1966.

On March 3, 1966, Gary Martini enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Portland, Oregon and was ordered to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. He received recruit training with the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, and upon graduation in May, was transferred to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, where he underwent individual combat training with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment.

He attended the Battalion Infantry Training School at Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, for one month prior to being transferred to Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in July 1966. After his arrival at Camp Lejeune, he was assigned duty as a rifleman with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division. While serving in this capacity, he was promoted to private first class in September 1966.

Transferred to the Far East in the Republic of Vietnam in December 1966, PFC Martini joined Company F, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. During Operation Union at Binh Son, Da Nang, on April 21, 1967, he was mortally wounded when he went to the aid of his wounded comrades.

His medals and decorations include: the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Martini Hall (Building #622) at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego is named in honor of PFC Gary W. Martini. Martini completed his recruit training at MCRD San Diego in 1966.

Gary Wayne Martini's name is inscribed on the Vietnam War Memorial ("The Wall") on Panel 8E, 61.

Martini Hall at Camp Horno in Camp Pendleton, CA is a chowhall named in honor of PFC Gary W. Martini.

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS GARY W. MARTINI UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Rifleman, Company F, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 April 1967, during Operation UNION, elements of Company F, conducting offensive operations at Binh Son, encountered a firmly entrenched enemy force and immediately deployed to engage them. The Marines in Private Martini's platoon assaulted across an open rice paddy to within twenty meters of the enemy trench line where they were suddenly struck by hand grenades, intense small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire. The enemy onslaught killed 14 and wounded 18 Marines, pinning the remainder of the platoon down behind a low paddy dike. In the face of imminent danger, Private Martini immediately crawled over the dike to a forward open area within 15 meters of the enemy position where, continuously exposed to the hostile fire, he hurled hand grenades, killing several of the enemy. Crawling back through the intense fire, he rejoined his platoon which had moved to the relative safety of a trench line. From this position he observed several of his wounded comrades lying helpless in the fire swept paddy. Although he knew that one man had been killed, attempting to assist the wounded, Private Martini raced through the open area and dragged a comrade back to the friendly position. In spite of a serious wound received during this first daring rescue, he again braved the unrelenting fury of the enemy fire to aid another companion lying wounded only twenty meters in front of the enemy trench line. As he reached the fallen Marine, he received a mortal wound, but disregarding his own condition, he began to drag the Marine toward his platoon's position. Observing men from his unit attempting to leave the security of their position to aid him, concerned only for their safety, he called to them to remain under cover and through a final supreme effort, moved his injured comrade to where he could be pulled to safety, before he fell, succumbing to his wounds. Stouthearted and indomitable, Private Martini unhesitatingly yielded his own life to save two of his comrades and insure the safety of the remainder of his platoon. His outstanding courage, valiant fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty reflected the highest credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

/S/ LYNDON B. JOHNSON

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

 

[PROCON]

FR is crawling with everyone because of the debate traffic.

I'm slowly getting better; it's more of a chest and throat cold, no runny nose so far. Cough up a bunch of junk in the morning (sorry :-)) and take throat lozenges.

Hopefully I'll get rid of the blasted thing soon.

Glad the beans are getting harvested!

[left that other site]

You know what?

I got dressed, put on make-up, packed my guitar, and then opened the door to go out.

It was SO nasty outside, I turned around, and came back in.

I think this might be rain from the hurricane, because it is windy too, and very intense.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Janey...((HUGS))...did the rain stop?

FR is s l o w .....trying again.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Check back when you get home....have a wonderful time!!!

[left that other site]

I ended up not going after all...it is JUST too nasty out.

See comment #22.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...FR is so slow.....and maybe the whole internet with so many online for the debate. I’m hearing some of it from my Mom’s room. Hitlery is such a LIAR!!!

[radu]

I think we all knew it would be slow tonight. Always is when there’s a debate but it’s slower than I expected it to be.

Glad you’re starting to feel better. Chest or head cold, it’s no fun trying to clear the gunk out of the way so one can breathe. Be glad you don’t have allergies. It’s like having a cold year round!

We’re just glad Dusty has beans to harvest this year after such a dry summer. They’re on the small side but they’re pretty little beans.

But it’s a little depressing when the crops are harvested. Bare fields aren’t nearly as pretty as crop-filled fields.
Gives us something to look forward to next year though. :-)

[radu]

Got some earplugs so you don’t have to hear any of the debate coming from your mom’s room? LOL!
I didn’t bother to turn it on. TMC has Frankenstein Meets Wolfman starring Lon Chaney and Bela Lugosi. House of Frankenstein is on next. MUCH more fun to watch!

Other sites move along nicely. Just FR is slow because of the crowd for the debate thread.

[SandRat]

see reply 10...lllOllll

[luvie]

*snork*

[luvie]

That is adorable! :)

[luvie]

This birdie is TARD!
It's been a very long day...and weekend!
And awesome!
Thanks for the great thread
about a brave American hero!

[radu]

WOOHOO! Glad you made it home safe and sound after your weekend of fun. That was a long drive.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Discretion is the better part of valor...a wise decision coming off of sickness, especially respiratory sickness.

There will be another night.

[luvie]

It sure seemed longer coming this way! Of course, we had already driven from the cottages to Ft. Worth, so there is that. LOL!

Hope you and yours had a good weekend! :)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Luv, and welcome home. Did ya have a great time at the shoot?

From DollyCali...

[radu]

Hey there, LUV! I thought you’d already conked out after the long day and drive.

The weekend was decent here. The temps have dropped to a nice level during the day though the nights are pretty chilly. Just wish there was some rain in our forecast but not this week. :-(

[luvie]

Oh, it was so much fun! We’re always just worn out when we finally leave from staying up so late....and from eating so much good food! LOL!

[Kathy in Alaska]

[luvie]

It won’t be long and I will. I’m dragging really bad. :) Glad you finally got some cooler weather. We did too. It was 90 one day and then 72-ish the next...with a lovely hard rain at dawn that put me right back to sleep. :)