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Matthew “Navajo Code Talker” Martin Sr.

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Matthew “Navajo Code Talker” Martin Sr. Veteran

Birth
New Mexico, USA
Death
22 Jun 2009 (aged 84)
Crownpoint, McKinley County, New Mexico, USA
Burial
Crownpoint, McKinley County, New Mexico, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
WINDOW ROCK, AZ: Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr., today conveyed his condolences to the family of the fourth Navajo Code Talker to pass away within five weeks.

Matthew Martin, 84, of Crownpoint, NM, who suffered a lengthy illness, died June 22 at his home, said his daughter Patricia Begay.

"As we approach the 233rd anniversary of Independence Day, Navajos¹ thoughts turn to the service performed by our warriors and veterans, and our honored Navajo Code Talkers are foremost in our thoughts and prayers," President Shirley said.

"On behalf of the Navajo Nation, I offer our deepest condolences to the family of the late Matthew Martin, another of our distinguished Code Talkers, and we thank him and them for the service he rendered to the Navajo Nation and United States during World War II."

Mr. Martin was born on May 3, 1925, at Star Lake, NM. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at Santa Fe, NM, on October 12, 1943, was qualified as a marksman and a code talker, and attained the rank of corporal.

He saw combat at Iwo Jima and the Volcano Islands from Feb. 19 to March 16, 1945, and during the occupation of Japan from Sept. 23, 1945, to April 20, 1946.

He was honorably discharged from the First Separation Company MGB, USMC, on May 13, 1946, received the good conduct medal, the Navajo Code Talker Congressional Silver Medal in 2001, and his service and outstanding contributions were recognized by Arizona Governor Jane Hull on May 9, 2002, and by the 45th Arizona State Legislature on May 13, 2002.

After his military service, Mr. Martin worked for the BNSF Railway, retiring in 1988. Since his retirement, he worked at home in Crownpoint, NM,raising livestock and farming.

Mr. Martin is survived by wife Linda E. Martin, his children, Patricia Begay of Crownpoint, Pearl Nez of Standing Rock, NM, Lucinda Rosenbauer of Deming, NM, Perlinda Begay of Crownpoint, son Jasper Martin of Mesa, AZ, Bernadette Martin of Crownpoint, Matthew Martin, Jr., of Arlington, VA, Merlinda Martin of Becenti, NM, Brenda Martin of Crownpoint, Sgt. Lamar Martin, who is serving with the National Guard and is stationed in GA, Patrick Martin of Crownpoint, Sharlinda Martin of Standing Rock and his siblings Paul Martin, Billy Martin, Leo Martin, and Alice Platero, all of Crownpoint, and Bernice Etcitty of Standing Rock.

Mr. Martin was preceded in death by his parents, Christine Tso and Edgar Martin, his siblings Mary Biggs, Tom Martin, Sr., and Willie Martin, and his sons Delbert Martin, Mar Martin, Eugene Martin.

Mr. Martin¹s funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at the Gospel Lighthouse Assembly of God Church, 100 Crownpoint Drive,
Crownpoint, NM.

WINDOW ROCK, AZ: Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr., today conveyed his condolences to the family of the fourth Navajo Code Talker to pass away within five weeks.

Matthew Martin, 84, of Crownpoint, NM, who suffered a lengthy illness, died June 22 at his home, said his daughter Patricia Begay.

"As we approach the 233rd anniversary of Independence Day, Navajos¹ thoughts turn to the service performed by our warriors and veterans, and our honored Navajo Code Talkers are foremost in our thoughts and prayers," President Shirley said.

"On behalf of the Navajo Nation, I offer our deepest condolences to the family of the late Matthew Martin, another of our distinguished Code Talkers, and we thank him and them for the service he rendered to the Navajo Nation and United States during World War II."

Mr. Martin was born on May 3, 1925, at Star Lake, NM. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at Santa Fe, NM, on October 12, 1943, was qualified as a marksman and a code talker, and attained the rank of corporal.

He saw combat at Iwo Jima and the Volcano Islands from Feb. 19 to March 16, 1945, and during the occupation of Japan from Sept. 23, 1945, to April 20, 1946.

He was honorably discharged from the First Separation Company MGB, USMC, on May 13, 1946, received the good conduct medal, the Navajo Code Talker Congressional Silver Medal in 2001, and his service and outstanding contributions were recognized by Arizona Governor Jane Hull on May 9, 2002, and by the 45th Arizona State Legislature on May 13, 2002.

After his military service, Mr. Martin worked for the BNSF Railway, retiring in 1988. Since his retirement, he worked at home in Crownpoint, NM,raising livestock and farming.

Mr. Martin is survived by wife Linda E. Martin, his children, Patricia Begay of Crownpoint, Pearl Nez of Standing Rock, NM, Lucinda Rosenbauer of Deming, NM, Perlinda Begay of Crownpoint, son Jasper Martin of Mesa, AZ, Bernadette Martin of Crownpoint, Matthew Martin, Jr., of Arlington, VA, Merlinda Martin of Becenti, NM, Brenda Martin of Crownpoint, Sgt. Lamar Martin, who is serving with the National Guard and is stationed in GA, Patrick Martin of Crownpoint, Sharlinda Martin of Standing Rock and his siblings Paul Martin, Billy Martin, Leo Martin, and Alice Platero, all of Crownpoint, and Bernice Etcitty of Standing Rock.

Mr. Martin was preceded in death by his parents, Christine Tso and Edgar Martin, his siblings Mary Biggs, Tom Martin, Sr., and Willie Martin, and his sons Delbert Martin, Mar Martin, Eugene Martin.

Mr. Martin¹s funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at the Gospel Lighthouse Assembly of God Church, 100 Crownpoint Drive,
Crownpoint, NM.



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  • Created by: Andrena's Daughter
  • Added: Jun 24, 2009
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38725856/matthew-martin: accessed ), memorial page for Matthew “Navajo Code Talker” Martin Sr. (3 May 1925–22 Jun 2009), Find a Grave Memorial ID 38725856, citing Crownpoint Cemetery, Crownpoint, McKinley County, New Mexico, USA; Maintained by Andrena's Daughter (contributor 46512228).