Edward Martin graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1954. He was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on July 9, 1967, and was held until his release on March 4, 1973. He retired as a U.S. Navy Vice Admiral on June 25, 1989.
Sponsored by:
Edward
Holmes
Martin
POW (RVN)
September 30, 1931
–
December 22, 2014
Awards Received
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Vice AdmiralAction Date:
February 1985 – January 1987
Board Serial 1875 (January 5, 1987)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Edward Holmes Martin (NSN: 0-58487), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as the Deputy chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare) from February 1985 to January 1987. During this period, the capabilities and readiness of naval aviation forces advanced markedly through the brilliant and dynamic leadership of Vice Admiral Martin. He personally initiated comprehensive and farsighted programs to attain a maximum state of naval aviation effectiveness. His thorough knowledge and ability to communicate with candor and conviction consistently earned needed understanding of and support for naval aviation programs. Vice Admiral Martin’s unusual insight and thorough planning contributed to the success of numerous United States military and diplomatic efforts throughout the world. Through his guidance and personal involvement in aviation safety, the naval aviation mishap rate declined, reflecting a priceless savings in lives and property. Vice Admiral Martin’s distinctive accomplishments, unrelenting perseverance, and steadfast dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 34 (VA-34)Division:
U.S.S. Intrepid (CVS-11)Action Date:
June 30, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Edward Holmes Martin (NSN: 0-58487), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 30 June 1967 as a pilot in Attack Squadron THIRTY-FOUR (VA-34), embarked in U.S.S. INTREPID (CVS-11). Commander Martin led eight flak-suppressor aircraft in support of the strike against the heavily defended petroleum product storage area, seven miles southwest of Haiphong, North Vietnam. While approaching the target area, he skillfully maneuvered his aircraft through intense, accurate anti-aircraft fire and two surface-to-air missile firings, maintaining flight integrity and arriving at a position from which to launch an attack. He then launched a determined and aggressive attack against multiple gun anti-aircraft sites on a nearby hill which were directing concentrated fire into the bomber element. He scored a direct hit on one of the sites, and moments later the entire southeast face of the hill erupted in a tremendous secondary explosion, sending fireballs several hundred feet in the air. By his courageous leadership, coolness under fire, and outstanding airmanship, Commander Martin contributed substantially to the success of this vital mission and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 15, 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Edward Holmes Martin (NSN: 0-58487), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam on 15 July 1967. Captain Martin’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Captain Martin reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 1969 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Edward Holmes Martin (NSN: 0-58487), United States Navy, for meritorious service while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from January 1969 to March 1973. During this period, although under constant surveillance from his captors, he performed duties involving highly classified material in an exemplary and professional manner. Through his zealousness and ingenuity, he generated new ideas and improvised techniques greatly enhancing covert operations. Although in a hostile environment, he never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States and his fellow prisoners. By his inspiring courage, exceptional skill, and resourcefulness, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear AdmiralAction Date:
September 1979 – October 1980
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Superior Service Medal to Rear Admiral Edward Holmes Martin (NSN: 0-58487), United States Navy, for exceptionally superior service as Chief, Current Operations Division, Director for Operations on the Staff of the Commander in Chief, Pacific, From September 1979 through October 1980. Subsequent to the American Embassy in Teheran, Iran being seized by militants, Rear Admiral Martin was tasked to be the personal representative and liaison between the Commander in Chief Pacific and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and was instrumental in developing vitally important military options to deal with the situation. His analyses and recommendations were accepted by the highest military and civilian decision makers, and he was pivotal in the establishment of rules of engagement for United States Forces. Concurrently, he was key to the exceptionally successful Pacific Command Vietnamese refugee actions which resulted in the rescue of more than 2,000 people. Rear Admiral Martin’s expertise and superb managerial skills were essential to the effective planning and coordinating of Pacific Command operational requirements while maintaining maximum capability to respond to additional National Command Authority requirements concerning the Iranian crisis. The distinctive accomplishments of Rear Admiral Martin reflects great credit upon himself, the United States Navy, and the Department of Defense.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July – October 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Edward Holmes Martin (NSN: 0-58487), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July to October 1967. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intracamp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods of communications, resulting in American and Allied prisoners resisting the enemy’s demands and at the same time improving the prisoners’ morale. By his heroic endeavors, exceptional skill, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 9, 1967 – March 4, 1973
Lieutenant Commander Edward Holmes Martin (NSN: 0-58487), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 9, 1967 – March 4, 1973.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
July 1967 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Edward Holmes Martin (NSN: 0-58487), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 1967 – March 1973. By his diligent efforts, exceptional leadership, devotion and loyalty to the United States, and under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States. While in daily contact with the North Vietnamese guards and officers, he performed duties in staff positions, maintaining good order and discipline among the prisoners. Further, as an educator he provided diversion and constructive rehabilitative thinking to his fellow prisoners during their long internment. Despite harsh treatment and a lack of material aids, he devoted long hours toward improving their morale and well-being. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and sound judgment reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Captain Martin is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Vice AdmiralAction Date:
February 1987 – February 1989
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 Edward Holmes Martin (NSN: 0-58487), 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, United States Naval Forces, Europe and United States Commander, Eastern Atlantic from February 1987 to February 1989. Vice Admiral Martin consistently performed his extremely demanding tasks in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Demonstrating superlative ability and competence, along with dynamic leadership, he was personally and directly responsible for the day-to-day complex operations of the United States Navy in theater. His tour was marked by constant challenges and limited resources, yet in the midst of such obstacles, his unfailing efforts were responsible for a substantial increase in readiness of United States Naval Forces in Europe. Vice Admiral Martin’s flawless judgment in dealing with extraordinarily complex and delicate political and military matters was invaluable to the United States Navy in Europe. By his distinctive achievements, unrelenting perseverance, and unsurpassed dedication to duty, Vice Admiral Martin reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
U.S.S. Saratoga (CV-60)Action Date:
February 1978 – July 1979
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 Captain Edward Holmes Martin (NSN: 0-58487), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, U.S.S. SARATOGA (CV-60) from February 1978 to July 1979. An inspiring and resourceful leader, Captain Martin planned and directed a most successful pre-deployment work up and deployment. Under his brilliant direction, U.S.S. SARATOGA completed an extensive Selective Restrictive Availability (SRA), and he guided his ship and air wing through a coordinated Type Training and Operational Readiness Evaluator which resulted in a well trained team that became the backbone of numerous SIXTH Fleet task group exercises during deployment. Despite the impediments associated with repeated short at-sea periods requiring extensive round-the-clock and other high intensity operations, Captain Martin’s ship completed an extraordinarily productive Mediterranean deployment with a record number of carrier based flight hours and landings and earned accolades for every major exercise. His outstanding leadership and professionalism created an atmosphere of spirited participation, unselfish mutual support, and outstanding overseas diplomacy during each port visit. Captain Martin’s distinctive achievements, astute judgment, and sterling devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.