Staff Sergeant Jack Mayfield Martin III, 26, of Bethany, Oklahoma, died after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device September 29, 2009 on Jolo Island, Philippines. He was born April 5, 1983, in Maquoketa, Iowa. Jack's family moved to Bethany, Oklahoma when he was a young child. He graduated from Bethany High School in 2001 and entered military service that same year. Jack was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2004 and upon completion of the course, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Washington. This was Jack's first deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines. He was a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Jack's military awards and decorations include Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2 device and the Army Service Ribbon, the Special Forces Tab, the Parachutist Badge and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
SSG Martin is survived by his wife Ashley of Tacoma, Washington; his father and mother Jack and Cheryl Martin of Bethany, Oklahoma; his brother Abe; and three sisters Mandi, Amber and Abi.
Contributions may be made in Jack's memory to YWCA Pierce County, 405 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402.
Jack's military awards and decorations include Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2 device and the Army Service Ribbon, the Special Forces Tab, the Parachutist Badge and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
SSG Martin is survived by his wife Ashley of Tacoma, Washington; his father and mother Jack and Cheryl Martin of Bethany, Oklahoma; his brother Abe; and three sisters Mandi, Amber and Abi.
Contributions may be made in Jack's memory to YWCA Pierce County, 405 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402.
Staff Sergeant Jack Mayfield Martin III, 26, of Bethany, Oklahoma, died after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device September 29, 2009 on Jolo Island, Philippines. He was born April 5, 1983, in Maquoketa, Iowa. Jack's family moved to Bethany, Oklahoma when he was a young child. He graduated from Bethany High School in 2001 and entered military service that same year. Jack was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2004 and upon completion of the course, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Washington. This was Jack's first deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines. He was a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Jack's military awards and decorations include Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2 device and the Army Service Ribbon, the Special Forces Tab, the Parachutist Badge and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
SSG Martin is survived by his wife Ashley of Tacoma, Washington; his father and mother Jack and Cheryl Martin of Bethany, Oklahoma; his brother Abe; and three sisters Mandi, Amber and Abi.
Contributions may be made in Jack's memory to YWCA Pierce County, 405 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402.
Jack's military awards and decorations include Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 2 device and the Army Service Ribbon, the Special Forces Tab, the Parachutist Badge and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
SSG Martin is survived by his wife Ashley of Tacoma, Washington; his father and mother Jack and Cheryl Martin of Bethany, Oklahoma; his brother Abe; and three sisters Mandi, Amber and Abi.
Contributions may be made in Jack's memory to YWCA Pierce County, 405 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402.
