My dad, Leopold J. Martin, never spoke of his emotions or witnessing combat related casualties or destruction during WWII.

He never talked about these subjects and only told us of “humorous” events. Dad’s greatest fear during his wartime experience was that his mother might receive a KIA (killed in action) letter. As far as him having any regrets for service, I don’t think so, as he re-enlisted. He believed in hard work, patriotism and doing things well.

He was proud to have served. He hated the Vietnam protestors. Dad did not speak of his actual wartime experiences, so I cannot say how the war affected him directly. Well, not until an incident when my father was in his 80’s when we were at the doctor’s office. He started crying to a nurse out of the blue about “all the dead babies”. As soon as I heard that, I figured that it had to be about his war experiences during WWII.

He was placed in an assisted living facility in 2008 for his safety. Unlike most of the others there, he never needed a walker. I told Dad that the Director there was a Colonel. Well, that’s all it took! He totally respected and obeyed when the “Colonel” redirected him.
He still understood the “chain of command” after all those years…

~ Gary L. Martin about his 101st Airborne Father, Leopold J. Martin who served during WWII

We are very grateful to Gary for sharing his personal story and invite you to share your family military service here as well.
God Bless all who serve and keep us safe.

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