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John
Martino
POW (WWII)

After the loss of his PT Boat in the fighting in the Philippine Islands early in 1942, John Martino joined the defense forces at Bataan and Corregidor, and was captured and held as a Prisoner of War after the surrender.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Chief Torpedoman

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands & Manchuria)

    Action Date:

    May 6, 1942 – August 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 1947

    Chief Torpedoman John Martino (NSN: 2071352), United States Navy, was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 6 May 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until returned to U.S. Military control after the end of hostilities in August 1945.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Chief Torpedoman

    Batallion:

    Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3 (MTB-3)

    Action Date:

    1942

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Chief Torpedoman John Martino (NSN: 2071352), United States Navy, was awarded the Silver Star for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving on Motor Torpedo Boat THIRTY-FOUR (PT-34), Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron THREE (MTB-3), in the Philippine Islands. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Chief Torpedoman

    Batallion:

    Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3 (MTB-3)

    Action Date:

    March 11 – 13, 1942
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Order No. 43 (March 15, 1942) & Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 306 (September 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Army Award) to Chief Torpedoman John Martino (NSN: 2071352), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving on Motor Torpedo Boat THIRTY-FOUR (PT-34), Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron THREE (MTB-3), from 11 to 13 March 1942, in the Philippine Islands during a extraordinary action in a retrograde maneuver involving General Douglas MacArthur. With marked skill and coolness, Chief Torpedoman Martino performed this mission of major strategic importance and of a most hazardous nature in the face of greatly superior enemy forces. His conduct throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Military Forces of the United States.