William Martin graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1934. He retired as a U.S. Navy Vice Admiral.
Sponsored by:
William
Inman
Martin
May 5, 1910
–
March 29, 1996
Awards Received
-
Legion of Merit
-
Silver Star
-
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
-
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Legion of Merit
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
-
Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral William Inman Martin (NSN: 0-73526), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (Air) for the period May 1964 to March 1967. An extremely competent and resourceful leader, Rear Admiral Martin has displayed a great breadth of knowledge and ability which have enhanced the best interests of the Navy. His personal contributions have won increased respect for the Naval Service at all levels of government. Through his personal efforts, flight deck hazardous duty pay was approved by the Congress. His personal leadership and perceptive insight led also to the reorganization of the office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air) in order that it may more effectively accomplish its mission. The many and varied aviation programs that he has shepherded have been advanced and carried out in a well-balanced manner. His performance as Active Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air) for extended periods on several occasions has been outstanding. By his outstanding leadership, superb judgment and inspiring devotion to duty, Rear Admiral Martin has upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10)Division:
U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)Action Date:
June 1944
Commander Fast Carrier Task Force: Serial 0247 (July 13, 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander William Inman Martin (NSN: 0-73526), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane and Flight Leader in Fighting Squadron TEN (VF-10), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Saipan in June 1944. An aggressive and fearless pilot, Commander Martin conducted the initial fighter sweep against Saipan on 11 June and, on the following day, led an aerial strike against enemy shipping in the vicinity of Saipan, destroying a large enemy tanker and severely damaging a transport and large cargo ship. Pressing home a fierce attack on gun positions on Saipan on 13 June, he was shot down after successfully bombing his target and, landing in the water only one hundred fifty yards from shore, seized the opportunity to study vital enemy installations at close range in order to obtain valuable strategic information despite his precarious situation and his constant exposure to rifle fire from shore. By his brilliant direction of air attacks against enemy positions and gun emplacements while serving as air coordinator, Commander Martin contributed essentially to our successful operations against this important Marianas base, and his superb airmanship, courageous initiative and exceptional daring throughout reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
-
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Vice AdmiralAction Date:
September 1968 – January 1971
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral William Inman Martin (NSN: 0-73526), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and as Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief Atlantic and the Commander in Chief Western Atlantic Area during the period September 1968 through January 1971. Vice Admiral martin’s brilliant leadership, planning and managerial expertise and military/politico acumen were instrumental in enabling these commands to fulfill their missions and to implement new concepts in management, strategy, and national and international security arrangements. During a period of dwindling resources, heavy commitments, and a high tempo of operations, Vice Admiral Martin, through continuing command action, made a major contribution to maintaining the Atlantic Fleet in a high state of readiness. The resulting effectiveness of assigned forces permitted rapid response by the Atlantic Command to urgent and expanding requirements and to the support requirements of other unified commands. Through his competent direction, the Atlantic Fleet and the Atlantic Fleet Staff effected a successful transition to a new system of financial management which resulted in improved organization and procedures. In political matters, Vice Admiral Martin employed foresight and sound judgment in reaching wise and timely decisions. By his outstanding accomplishments and inspiring devotion to duty, he upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
-
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Vice AdmiralAction Date:
April 10, 1967 – August 14, 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral William Inman Martin (NSN: 0-73526), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commander SIXTH Fleet, and as Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces, Southern Europe, from 10 April 1967 to 14 August 1968. During this period of international crises, Vice Admiral Martin, through his perceptive analyses of the politico-military situations developing prior to, during, and following the Arab-Israeli conflict in June 1967 and the Cyprus crisis in November 1967, coupled with his timely recommendations on possible U.S. courses of action, greatly assisted higher authority in selecting options to best serve the national interest. He was able to maintain a high state of readiness, training, and morale in the SIXTH Fleet, in spite of increased stringency of manpower, logistics, and material. Vice Admiral Martin maintained close personal contact with all U.S. ambassadors in the Mediterranean littoral countries to ensure optimum responsiveness to the Fleet to the specific needs of the United States Country Teams in furthering U.S. objectives. As a result of his vigorous public relations program and by his interest and personal attention, he materially contributed to public understanding and appreciation of the missions of the SIXTH Fleet and its continuing and vital contributions to the stability and freedom of the nations in the Mediterranean area. As Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces, Southern Europe, Vice Admiral Martin was an inspiring and international leader of the highest professional competence and dedication. In connection with these areas of command responsibilities involving NATO forces, he has further increased the level of readiness of Naval Striking and Support Forces, Southern Europe to a degree noticeable at all echelons of command. Under his able leadership, these NATO forces have functioned as a closely-knit and highly efficient international instrument for peace. Vice Admiral Martin’s untiring efforts, sound judgment, integrity, and inspiring devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderBatallion:
Torpedo Squadron 10 (VT-10)Division:
U.S.S. EnterpriseAction Date:
March – April 1944
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 356 (November 1946)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Commander William Inman Martin, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Flight Leader in Torpedo Squadron TEN (VT-10), embarked in U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, over Truk Atoll from March through April 1944.
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear AdmiralAction Date:
October 31, 1961 – May 31, 1963
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral William Inman Martin (NSN: 0-73526), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as Chief of Naval Air Reserve Training from 31 October 1961 to 31 May 1963. During this period Rear Admiral Martin consistently exhibited a quality of leadership so uniquely inspiring that new plateaus of performance, morale and importance were achieved by the Naval Air Reserve Training Command. The skilled, spirited performance of the Naval Air Reserve personnel of his Command throughout the Berlin and Cuban crises contributed most significantly to the success of the Naval mission in these critical periods of international crises. Additionally, his selfless, tireless efforts in reappraising the traditional concepts of patriotism, dedication, and personal responsibility infused both civilian and military audiences throughout the nation with a singular willingness to continue to serve in or to join all branches of the Armed Forces. His uncommon leadership, disregard for personal convenience, boundless energy, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Commander William Inman Martin (NSN: 0-73526), United States Navy, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant William Inman Martin (NSN: 0-73526), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during the engagement with Japanese naval forces off Guadalcanal on 14 and 15 November 1942. Lieutenant Martin, as pilot of a scout bomber, conducted a highly satisfactory search and returned safely from these operations. He personally led three attack groups against the enemy and obtained two direct heavy bomb hits on enemy ships. This magnificent performance of duty under heavy anti-aircraft fire and an umbrella of enemy fighters was unquestionably a major factor in the glorious victory achieved. With unswerving devotion to duty, and with tireless energy, he conducted his operations in a highly courageous, skillful and aggressive manner, and in accordance with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
-
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderRegiment:
Composite Squadron Group (N) 90Division:
U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)Action Date:
January 5 – May 15, 1945
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Commander William Inman Martin (NSN: 0-73526), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of Composite Squadron (Night) NINETY, attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), operating in the Iwo, Okinawa and Japan Areas from 5 January to 15 May 1945. Thoroughly experienced and skilled in the technique of instrument flying and the tactical applications of airborne radar, Commander Martin continued his invaluable service in the conduct of night carrier operations during the final phase of our prolonged aerial offensive against the Japanese. Superbly confident himself of the effectiveness of this type of warfare, he inspired in the officers and men of his command a unique, moral and physical courage which dissipated the natural aversion to recognized hazards and enabled his squadron to face and counter treacherous suicide tactics of hostile pilots and to screen our vital carrier forces during operations which led to the final defeat of the enemy. His distinguished service during the latter phase of our sustained drive toward the Japanese Empire and his previous successful efforts in perfecting the training and combat methods necessary to accelerate and intensify aggressive aerial operations reflect the highest credit upon Commander Martin and the United States Naval Service.