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1LT Thomas Michael Martin was 27 years old and from Cabot, Arkansas. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1998, completing Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as a Field Artilleryman at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In 2000, while assigned to Camp Stanley in Korea, Tom was accepted for admission to the United States Military Academy. After attending the Preparatory School, Tom majored in Military Science at the United States Military Academy.
As a Cadet at West Point, Tom started on the Rugby team, was a member of the Military Tactics team, and earned his Parachutist Badge by graduating from Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. In May 2005, upon graduation from West Point, Tom was commissioned as an Armor Officer and completed the Armor Officer Basic Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He volunteered for Ranger School and graduated earning his tab in May of 2006. Tom reported to the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Richardson, Alaska in June of 2006. Upon arrival, Tom was assigned as the Sniper Platoon Leader in Crusader Troop and deployed with the unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in October of 2006. Tom was killed in a small arms fire engagement with the enemy on the 14th of October, 2007.
1LT Martin was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart Medal posthumously. He has previously been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Army Overseas Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Ranger Tab.
Tom was engaged to 1LT Erika Noyes with a wedding planned for October 2008. He is survived by his parents, Edmund and Candis Martin of San Antonio, Texas.
He will forever be remembered as a man with undaunted determination who was fiercely dedicated to his men and his mission. Tom Martin will never be forgotten. |
