Click On Image
For Full Size Image |
Size |
Image Description |
Contributed
By |
USAT Pvt. Joe P. Martinez
|
 |
36k |
Namesake
Private Joe P. Martinez, born in Taos, New Mexico and having enlisted in the U.S. Army at Ault, Colorado, was an automatic rifleman in Company K of the 32nd Infantry. With his Company stalled by entrenched enemy soldiers, Martinez stood up and walked into the enemy's fire, and slaughtered five Japanese soldiers with grenades and his BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle). He reached the crest of the ridge before he collapsed with a mortal wound he had taken fifty yards down the hill. The U. S. Northern Force followed him up the hill and took the northwestern razorback of the Fish Hook that Martinez had cleared. It was too late for Martinez to revel in their victory. Joseph P. Martinez's posthumous reward was Attu's only Medal of Honor, and was awarded on 27 October, 1943.
Citation For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. Over a period of several days, repeated efforts to drive the enemy from a key defensive position high in the snow-covered precipitous mountains between East Arm Holtz Bay and Chichagof Harbor had failed. On 26 May 1943, troop dispositions were readjusted and a trial coordinated attack on this position by a reinforced battalion was launched. Initially successful, the attack hesitated. In the face of severe hostile machine gun, rifle, and mortar fire, Pvt. Martinez, an automatic rifleman, rose to his feet and resumed his advance. Occasionally he stopped to urge his comrades on. His example inspired others to follow. After a most difficult climb, Pvt. Martinez eliminated resistance from part of the enemy position by BAR fire and hand grenades, thus assisting the advance of other attacking elements. This success only partially completed the action. The main Holtz-Chichagof Pass rose about 150 feet higher, flanked by steep rocky ridges and reached by a snow-filled defile. Passage was barred by enemy fire from either flank and from tiers of snow trenches in front. Despite these obstacles, and knowing of their existence, Pvt. Martinez again led the troops on and up, personally silencing several trenches with BAR fire and ultimately reaching the pass itself. Here, just below the knifelike rim of the pass, Pvt. Martinez encountered a final enemy-occupied trench and as he was engaged in firing into it he was mortally wounded. The pass, however, was taken, and its capture was an important preliminary to the end of organized hostile resistance on the island.
Photo from the book "World War II Medal Recipients". |
Bill Gonyo |
 |
197k |
USAT Private Joe P. Martinez under way, date unknown and location unknown.
© World Ship Society |
Gerhard Mueller Debus |
USNS Pvt. Joe P. Martinez (T-AP-187)
|
 |
104k |
USNS Private Joe P. Martinez (T-AP-187) arriving in Seattle, WA., 27 Dec 1951 with Korean War veterans. |
Joel Fogelson |
 |
234k |
USNS Private Joe P. Martinez (T-AP-187) at Vancouver, B.C., date unknown.
© World Ship Society |
Gerhard Mueller Debus |
 |
146k |
USNS Private Joe P. Martinez (T-AP-187) and USNS Sgt. Sylvester Antolak (T-AP-192), two "Victory" ships laid up
in the the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Olympia, WA. being prepared to for towing to to the scrappers yard.
US Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo # NH 89321 |
Mike Green |
 |
87k |
Ex-USNS Sgt. Sylvester Antolak (T-AP-192) and ex-USNS Private Joe P. Martinez
(T-AP-187) in the last stages of being scrapped at West Waterway Lumber Co., Seattle, WA., 19 September 1974. Both have lost their propellers and the Martinez has been cut down below the main deck level, Photos taken from Warship Boneyards, by Kit and Carolyn Bonner, courtesy L.Cote. |
Robert Hurst |
