The current guardian of this Remembrance Page is A3C Michael S. Bell (Unit Historian).
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This Remembrance Profile was originally created by Sgt Stephen Willcox - Deceased
"1Lt. Sammy A. Martin was a pilot trained for the 'backseat' duties on the Phantom fighter/bomber aircraft. His job included such things as navigation, bombardier, or weapons systems operations, depending on the type of aircraft and variety of mission. Martin was assigned to the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Da Nang, South Vietnam.
On December 27, 1967 Martin and his pilot were assigned an armed reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam. Armed reconnaissance, in combat terms, really meant 'look for targets and destroy them.' During the mission Martin's aircraft was struck by hostile fire in the Quang Binh Province area. Martin and his pilot were able to guide the aircraft over water to facilitate rescue when they ejected.
Both Martin and his pilot ejected safely and rescue operations proceeded normally. The pilot was recovered, but when Martin was hoisted out of the water by rescue helicopter, he slipped out of the rescue sling and dropped back into the water. Martin was lost from sight in a large wave. According to the Department of the Air Force, 'evidence of (Martin's) death due to drowning was received' on December 28, 1967. The nature of the evidence is not stated, but Martin's body was not recovered.
Sammy A Martin is listed among the missing because his remains were never found to send home to the country he served. But, for his family, the case seems clear that he died on that day...." Source: http://www.pownetwork.org
Other Comments:
This Veteran has an (IMO) In Memory Of Headstone in Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial, Hawaii with another memorial in Fort Sam Houston Cemetery, San Antonio, TX.
