First Lt. James O. Martin

Our Hometown Heroes

James O. Martin

He Saved Town With His Heroism

James O. Martin, was a First Lt. and pilot in World War II. He flew a huge plane, the C47-Skytrain. This was used to transport paratroopers to the battlefield. Born on April 3, 1921, Martin helped with the liberation of Holland from German occupation.

Martin flew on a number of missions in the Army-Air Corps. One fateful day, Martin would take off from a base in England. Flying across the English Channel, Lt. Martin and his crew would reach the assigned battle area. This was near the town of Groesbeek, Holland. The C47 was under heavy fire. As it was hit, the behemoth aircraft began to go down. Martin immediately knew he was going to crash into the town. Without thought of his life or danger, Lt. Martin steered the plane to an open field, thus sparing thousands who lived in the town from certain death.

There were no survivors. The town’s thousand onlookers immediately felt the horror of the cruel death, but they also felt intense joy as Groesbeek was liberated from the madness of the German Army.

Martin and crew were listed as officially Killed in Action on September 17, 1944. Lt. Martin and his crew were moved and buried in St. Louis in June, 1950. They are listed as heroes for their unselfish act in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. The town and area of Groesbeek, Holland has also established memorials and celebrate their liberation and honor the death of their Hometown Heroes.

Although Lt. Martin did not come home alive, a thankful community now honors the World War II, hero. An individual plaque will be installed in Historic Downtown Griffin honoring our Hometown Hero. The plaque is sponsored by Catherine and Jack Odom, grandchildren of Carole and John Carlisle.