Russell Dean MartinLieutenant Colonel4TH AIR COMMANDO SQDN, 14TH ACW, 7TH AF United States Air Force 22 June 1937 - 13 January 1979 Bloomfield, Iowa Panel 08E Line 004 |
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The database page for Russell Dean Martin
Russell Dean Martin, I would like your family to know that I have held onto your POW braclet for over 25 years in the hopes of finding your family someday ... now that I have found this site, I am very pleased and excited that my dream may finally come true. My email address will be included for their information ... You were only a name to me for many years, but now I have read your personal history and I know that I must find your family ... God bless you and yours ...
A memorial initiated by |
My father's plane flew at 3 to 5 minutes before crashing, not 5 to 10 seconds. The bailout call was heard by other planes in the area. The original witness statements claimed there was time for 1 or more of the crew to bail out.
From his daughter, |
This Veterans' holiday 2005, I was able to make the trip I longed for as a child. It was to turn over my POW/MIA bracelet to one of LTC Russell Martin's daughters. I've worn it since 1971 and always kept him and his family near and dear to my heart. It was a bittersweet experience for me. But I do know from my visit that LTC Russell Martin "will not be forgotten". His family lives with his memory every day. I just pray that we will continue to do the same for all of our servicemen and women "until they all come home". God Bless you and your family, Julie, and the sacrifices you have endured.
Jennie Watkins |
Notes from The Virtual WallThe 4th Air Commando Squadron, based at Nha Trang, SVN, maintained a detachment at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, in order to allow operations along the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. On 3 June 1966 one of the Ubon gunships, AC-47 tail number 43-48925, departed on a night armed reconnaissance mission along the Trail. It was crewed by
Shortly after the bail-out call, the FAC pilot saw the AC-47 roll into a steep descent and crash. The FAC reported he saw no ground fire directed at the AC-47, saw no parachutes, and heard no emergency radio beepers. Although search and rescue forces located the wreckage, there was no sign of the aircrew. The six men were classed as Missing in Action.
On 13 January 1979, LTC Russell Martin's status was changed from "Missing in Action" to "Died while Missing", a presumptive finding of death.
- Update -
The remains of the six crewmen had been repatriated on 20 June 1995. Interment was in Section 60, Arlington National Cemetery, on Friday, 05 Nov 2004. |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 08/10/2009