FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Gary W Martini ~ 15 February 2021

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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! 

 

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

February 15

Spitting Image

Bible in a Year:

• Leviticus 17–18
• Matthew 27:27–50

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Colossians 1:15

During an outing, we met a woman who had known my husband’s family since he was a child. She looked from Alan to our son, Xavier. “He’s the spitting image of his daddy,” she said. “Those eyes. That smile. Yep. Looks just like him.” As the woman delighted in acknowledging such a strong resemblance between father and son, she even noted similarities in their personalities. Still, though they are alike in many ways, my son doesn’t reflect his father perfectly.

There’s only one Son—Jesus—who reflects His Father completely. Christ is the “image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15). In Him and through Him and for Him all things were created (v. 16). “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (v. 17).

We can spend time in prayer and Bible study, discovering the Father’s character by looking at Jesus—God in the flesh. He invites us to witness His love in action by examining how He interacts with others in Scripture and in our day-to-day living. After surrendering our lives to Christ and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, we can grow in knowing and trusting our loving Father. He transforms us to reflect His character, so we can live for Him.

What a joy it would be if others could say we look just like Jesus!

Reflect & Pray

What character trait of Jesus have you seen cultivated in your life over the last year? What trait would you like to cultivate in the coming year?

Jesus, please help me know You more as You make me more like You!

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

All rested and ready to take on the new week?

[wjcsux]

Hi Kathy, thank you very much for posting this account of one of our finest!

[PROCON]

Thanks for honoring tonight’s Hero, Kathy, incredible bravery, sacrifice and love for his fellow Marines.

[The Mayor]

Yes, I am... Today our kids and grandsons came to visit.
Fun day, I am posting pics on my FB page

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...any better weather today? Or are you and Penny just enjoying each others company and staying warm?

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: Gary W Martini ~

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[Chainmail]

The story I heard from the only surviving officer from Company F, 2/1 from that fight near Nui Loc Sanh - a second lieutenant artillery FO - was that Foxtrot company approached an NVA platoon that they had spotted across an open area and deployed to attack. However, the NVA never came in platoons - they always came in battalions - and as the citation says, they were well entrenched and within a few seconds, all of the company officers were killed and the senior man alive was the artillery FO.

Gary Martini saw wounded Marines caught between the trench the survivors had occupied and the enemy's trenches. Without a word, he went out in the open to save a wounded Marine and bring him back, pausing only to throw grenades at the enemy machine guns. Then he went out again, same routine and barely made it back - because the enemy knew where he was and what he was doing. This time, the lieutenant ordered him to stay put until help got there and that he had risked his life enough.

But another Marine, wounded and calling for him to help him from close to the enemy position caused him to run out of cover again to go get him.

He died that time, shot in the back while he was dragging that wounded man back.

It always hurts to remember Gary and that day - because he always represents to me the extreme courage and selflessness that happened so often in our war.

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

THANK YOU
for your service!

[luvie]

Private First Class Gary Wayne Martini
September 21, 1948 - April 21, 1967
United States Marine
Medal of Honor Recipient
for heroism in April 1967
during the Vietnam War.
RIP Hero....
[thank you, Kathy, for his story]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Did you accomplish your mission at the office today?

[radu]

Howdy, PRO.

How are you faring out there with this crummy winter mess?

We’re about to have our fun the next couple of days with ice. Ugh!!

[luvie]

...TO ALL THE CANTEEN LOVERS!
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!

Air Supply~Making Love Out Of Nothing At All

Bette Midler~The Rose

Foreigner~I Want To Know What Love Is

Gary Morris~The Wind Beneath My Wings

Lee Greenwood~I O U

Linda Ronstadt~What'll I Do

Leo Sayer~More Than I Can Say

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

Were you able to make it to church this morning? It looks like there’s been quite a bit of snow across TX today.
One of our storm chasers is driving around Ft. Worth right now and there’s almost no one else out on the streets. Can’t blame folks for staying home because the streets haven’t been cleared at all.

[PROCON]

Hiya radu!

Typical winter now, 6" of snow since Thursday and snowing lightly now. Very cold too but life goes on, I was out and about shopping Friday, the main roads get plowed fairly quickly.

I visited Robin and the pups today, they don't seem to mind making yellow snow in the backyard, LOL.

We're still a few days until a warm-up.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, wjcsux...he is, indeed, one of our finest. We must remember our heroes!

[luvie]

Hey there, radu!

No church service this morning. The preacher couldn’t make it down from Lubbock and the roads were treacherous in town. My hubby went up there anyway to turn off the heaters that he had turned on yesterday. He said it wasn’t such a bad drive but I’m glad I didn’t go with him.

It snowed HARD all day and completely covered up the cats’ water and food areas. I finally decided to bring Li’l Bit inside and she’s in the back bathroom, quiet as a mouse. I worried all last night that I’d find her cold and stiff this morning, but she was fine. But she has no one to cuddle with.

I just fed the rest of them about an hour ago. They ate and they looked in good shape. They haven’t budged out of the warm spots all day.The snow has stopped so hubby swept off the patio in the area near the door where I have been putting their food and water. The water starts freezing in about 20 minutes. The current temp is 5 and feels like -12.

I watched him earlier...there was a wreck that he was sitting behind. I hope things there where you are don’t get this bad. It’s strange to see all of Texas under severe winter weather warnings!