John T. Martin
Sergeant John T. Martin, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, U.S. Army. Serial: 32066231. He lived at 610 North 6th Street, Camden NJ.
Sergeant John T. Martin was born in Ireland in 1911 to Patrick J. and Annie Martin. The Martins had lived in New Jersey earlier in the century, where brother James and sister Helen were born in 1904 and 1909 respectively, before their temporary return to Ireland. Four more children were born in Ireland after John Martin: brothers William and James, and sisters Catherine and Helen Martin. The family returned to New Jersey permanently sometime after 1915. Patrick Martin worked as an engineer and as a blacksmith for “Public Service.” In 1920 the family owned a home at 638 Cedar Street.
John T. Martin attended Camden Catholic High School in Camden NJ and the Camden County Vocational School in nearby Pennsauken NJ. By 1930 the Martin family had moved to 610 North 6th Street in Camden NJ. John Martin had by then begun working for the Camden Courier-Post newspaper, where he worked in the circulation department as a driver for 11 years, until his induction into the Army in January of 1941.
John Martin took part in the North African campaign before going to fight in Sicily. He wrote his family from North Africa before the invasion of Sicily. His letter stated that he had successfully come through the drive which threw the enemy out of Tunisia, and noted he had seen action on many of the hills which American troops overran in the push towards Bizerte and Tunis. He also took part in the American attack at Ferryville in the final phases of the North African campaign. He wrote:
When we would move up to contact the enemy every one would be on edge or perhaps a little bit scared, but after a few shots were fired we forgot about being scared and started after the enemy.
Sergeant Martin also told of being with one of the first units to enter Ferryville, Tunisia. He also wrote of meeting an old friend, Sergeant J. Norman Vandegrift, of Collingswood NJ.
Sergeant Martin died of wounds received in action on the island of Sicily on August 6, 1943. He was the first killed of the 64 Camden Courier-Post employees in service during World War II. John T. Martin was awarded the Silver Star posthumously, the Purple Heart, and the French Voluntary Military Service Cross from the French Government. He was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Martin, of the Camden address, and his brothers and sisters.
Mass on Saturday For Sgt. Martin
Camden Courier-Post —
Solemn requiem high Mass for Sgt. John T. Martin, a former Courier-Post employe, will be celebrated Saturday at 9 a. m. in the Church of the Holy Name. Relatives and friends will meet at 8 a. m. in the funeral home of Paul R. Rilatt, 532 State street, where friends may call Friday night. Burial will be in Calvary cemetery.
Sergeant Martin died Aug. 6, 1943, at the age of 31, from wounds suffered in Sicily. He was the first killed of the 64 Courier-Post employes in service in War II. He was a member of the 9th Infantry Division of the 39th Regiment.
He entered the service in January, 1941. Sergeant Martin took part in the American attack at Ferryville in the final phases of the North African campaign.
Born in Camden, he attended Camden Catholic High School and the Camden County Vocational school. He was employed by the Courier-Post for 11 years and was a driver in the circulation department.
He was awarded the Purple Heart and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Martin, of 610 North Sixth street, were given the Silver Star for their son’s heroism posthumously. Sergeant Martin received the French Voluntary Military Service Cross from the French Government.
Also surviving are two brothers, James and William, and two sisters, Catherine and Helen, all of the North Sixth street address.