Lawrence Martin

Lawrence Martin was born on May 15, 1919 in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, to Joseph and Irma (Chinchilla) Martin. Lawrence was a First-Generation American.

After high school and employment as a semi-skilled inspector outside of Pittsburgh, PA, Lawrence was drafted on May 16, 1941. Enlisting as a Private, Martin was with the 29th Infantry Division. He was stationed in Fort Meade, MD and Camp Blanding, FL. Due to his competence in the Infantry, Martin quickly promoted to Staff Sergeant before being shipped to England for the impending invasion.

On June 6, 1944 (D-Day), SSG Martin landed with D Co, 1/116th Regiment, 29th Infantry Division during the second wave on Dog Green, Omaha Beach. His commander, senior enlisted leadership, and lieutenants were nearly all killed before reaching land. It is estimated that survivors from the unit had been bogged down in chest high water for over an hour. SSG Martin and a few others survived. With high casualties and mass confusion, SSG Martin had found himself in a senior leadership role. He mustered survivors from the Rangers and 29th Division in order to push off of the beach. They cleared obstacles, captured a dozen Germans, dispatched enemies, and claimed their objectives. 

On June 16, 1944, SSG Martin continued leading his Soldiers through the French countryside. During the assault on Hill 192, SSG Martin was killed by enemy artillery. He was initially reported as MIA, later being corrected to KIA. He was buried in Normandy, France on June 27, 1944 and remains there today. On 16 May, 2025 (one day after his birthday and on the anniversary of his enlistment), he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman Badge by the 29th Infantry Division Commander.

His two cousins, Johnny and Francis Chinchilla both fought in the war. PVT John Chinchilla was KIA in Italy (1944) and 1LT Chinchilla was captured and executed in Germany (1944). The cousins are buried next to each other at the ABMC Cemetery in Luxembourg. 

He had mentioned Stars and Stripes in a 1944 letter to his mother. He discusses the upcoming US Presidential Election between Governor Dewey and President Roosevelt, and a lack of stateside news. Ironically, he was featured in the famous newspaper over 80 years later. See the story here: https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2025-05-22/medals-awarded-wwii-soldier-17870043.html