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Rank
and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company K, 32d
Infantry, 7th Infantry Division. Place and date: On
Attu, Aleutians, 26 May 1943. Entered service at: Ault,
Colo. Birth: Taos, N. Mex. G.O. No.: 71, 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 machinegun, 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.
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The
President of the United States