- SURNAME
Martin
- FORENAME
Linwood Dwight,Jr
- UNIT
5 SF Group (Company C,Det B-50) (MACV-SOG-CCC) (RT Delaware)
- RANK
Sergeant First Class
- NUMBER
13525139
- DATE OF DEATH
22nd March 1968
- AGE
30
- GRAVESITE
Sherwood Burial Park,Salem,Virginia
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Bassett,Virginia
born 18.9.1937 Bassett,Virginia
son of Linwood Dwight and Alene (nee Adren) Martin
husband of Virginia Carol (nee Richardson) Martin (married 27.6.1961) (1 daughter)
entered service 1956 (12 years)
awards D.S.C.,Bronze Star with V
KIA Binh Dinh Province,South Vietnam
Vietnam Veterans Memorial,Washington,D.C. Panel 45E Line 59
DATE OF DEATH:
22-Mar-1968AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/martin-linwood-dwight.31106/CITATION:
Distinguished Service Cross : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Linwood Dwight Martin (ASN: RA-13525139), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant First Class Martin distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 22 March 1968 as team leader of a small Special Forces long range reconnaissance team operating in enemy-controlled territory. On 21 March his patrol discovered a freshly-dug enemy bunker and tunnel complex. Sergeant Martin thoroughly reconnoitered the area and then moved his men to a night defensive perimeter. During the night, an unknown size Viet Cong force closed on three sides of the friendly position and, at daybreak, raked the team with heavy automatic weapons fire. Braving the withering fusillade, Sergeant Martin fearlessly led his troops through the enemy's flank without a casualty and quickly established a hasty defensive perimeter on a ridgeline to await helicopter extraction. The Viet Cong pursued the team, completely surrounded it and unleashed a savage attack, determined to annihilate the trapped soldiers. Directing his men to hold their positions, Sergeant Martin gallantly charged down the ridge and sprayed the advancing insurgent ranks with fierce rifle fire, killing many of the Viet Cong. Before his team members could come to his aid, Sergeant Martin was overpowered by the enemy force and mortally wounded. His dauntless and courageous efforts enabled the rest of the patrol to hold off the enemy until helicopters arrived and extracted them to safety. Sergeant First Class Martin's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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