AFRO inside look: Sergeant Arthur Martin speaks on his time as a U.S. soldier in Vietnam

By Ashleigh Fields, AFRO Assistant Editor, afields@afro.com

On the steps exterior the Capitol, the place the place Congress convenes day by day, a major and selfless hero was honored. The steadfast story of Sergeant Arthur Martin was documented by Congressman Glenn Ivey (D-MD-4) on Nov. 6. Martin was celebrated for his service in the USA Navy Advisory Group and the third Radio Analysis Unit–applications that almost all Individuals didn’t know existed, regardless of their essential contributions to the nation through the Vietnam Warfare.

“We have been generally known as ‘Kennedy’s boys,’ who went over to cease the unfold of communism in southeast Asia,” recalled Martin.

He defined how he was the one Black soldier to be chosen as one among 15 younger males designated by the president to assist find enemy indicators and monitor the launching of rockets in Okinawa and ultimately the Philippines. Martin drew upon his coaching as {an electrical} engineering graduate of the Tuskegee Institute and the U.S. Military Safety Company Coaching Heart and Faculty (ASATC&S) at Fort Devens, Mass.  

Nonetheless, neither program might put together him for the unprecedented chemical publicity he would face whereas serving overseas. 

“It was like being in an experimental lab and we discovered as we went alongside,” shared Martin. “We didn’t have helmets or jackets, we had civilian garments and weapons.”

Whereas residing in enemy territory, Martin discovered it onerous to mix in with the nation’s natives. 

“I used to be a Black man 4 toes taller than the common Filipino man,” recollects the veteran. This made him a straightforward goal for assaults and put him at nice threat of being imprisoned as a political felony. Despite overcoming this battle, a small and extra lethal pressure that Martin was unaware of would pose the best menace to his stability and well being.

The chemical dioxin, extra generally generally known as “Agent Orange” was unleashed by the USA navy to detect the North Vietnamese Military base camps and routes all through the nation.

“They wished to stop the enemy from hiding within the jungle however after they sprayed it affected good friend and enemy alike,” Martin expressed.

The implications would show to be crippling. Martin returned house and was identified with a number of myeloma shortly thereafter. 

“It brought on me to be paralyzed and if it wasn’t for my diploma from Tuskegee and the job on the NATO Oceanographic Workplace I obtained earlier than getting into the navy, I might not have been in a position to pay for my medical bills,” he mentioned. “I used to be left to fend for myself medically and the medical doctors weren’t accustomed to the consequences of Agent Orange which brought on the a number of myeloma or the post-traumatic stress dysfunction.”

To make issues worse, Martin couldn’t obtain veterans advantages attributable to the truth that all the work he accomplished was a secret to the American public, Congress and his fellow troopers.

“It was one thing I by no means anticipated in my complete lifetime,” mentioned Martin, who additionally developed prostate most cancers, listening to loss and submit traumatic stress dysfunction from his expertise in battle. “I reached out for assist however I used to be repeatedly instructed, ‘If you go away right here, go away all the things that comes with it.’ And so I did.”

For many years, he managed to outlive whereas struggling and unable to publicly acknowledge his contribution to our nation. Nonetheless, on Nov. 6, Congressman Glenn Ivey (D-MD-4) held an intimate ceremony to salute Martin for his service.

“I do know what sacrifices our women and men in uniform make for our lifestyle. People like Sergeant Arthur Martin need to be acknowledged and thanked for his or her service to our nation.  A congressional quotation is only a means we will remind him {that a} grateful nation thanks him,” Congressman Ivey instructed the AFRO. “His service medals being delayed didn’t find yourself being a denial of his service and so it’s why we honor him for his endurance and patriotism as we speak, yesterday and at all times.”

Family and friends joined him on the occasion however the proudest of all of them was his spouse of over 30 years, Emma Lois Martin. 

“I’m genuinely joyful for him, I can’t consider a extra deserving particular person. He has actually paid his dues. He bought Agent Orange however he’s by no means been indignant. He’s had three forms of most cancers on the similar time however he preserved and triumphed,” she mentioned. “Within the midst of the stress and adversity on his job he by no means let that intrude along with his household or relationship with God. That’s worthy for many individuals to know. I’m simply so joyful that he has been the face of a Black man that different Black males might see and perceive that they too might succeed as a Black particular person and a Southerner.”

The story of his profession has stayed inside the household and their daughter Pamela Martin has made it some extent to amplify its attain. She was instrumental in securing the congressional quotation and making certain that the fitting model of historical past lived on for generations.

“The rationale I survived and a variety of veterans didn’t was due to God, my training, my spouse and my mom’s instructing,” Martin instructed the AFRO. “I didn’t wish to do something that she wouldn’t ever approve of.”