4th code talker passes away
WINDOW ROCK, June 25, 2009
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Matthew Martin
President Joe Shirley Jr. on Wednesday conveyed his condolences to the family of the fourth Navajo Code Talker to pass away within five weeks, according to a press release from the president's office.
Matthew Martin of Crownpoint, who suffered a lengthy illness, died June 22 at his home, said his daughter Patricia Begay. He was 84.
"As we approach the 233rd anniversary of Independence Day, Navajos' thoughts turn to the service performed by our warriors and veterans, and our honored Navajo Code Talkers are foremost in our thoughts and prayers," Shirley said.
"On behalf of the Navajo Nation, I offer our deepest condolences to the family of the late Matthew Martin, another of our distinguished code talkers, and we thank him and them for the service he rendered to the Navajo Nation and United States during World War II."
Martin was born May 3, 1925, at Star Lake, N.M. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at Santa Fe, N.M., on Oct. 12, 1943, was qualified as a marksman and a code talker, and attained the rank of corporal.
He saw combat at Iwo Jima and the Volcano Islands from Feb. 19 to March 16, 1945, and during the occupation of Japan from Sept. 23, 1945, to April 20, 1946.
He was honorably discharged from the First Separation Company MGB, U.S. Marine Corps, on May 13, 1946, received the good conduct medal, the Navajo Code Talker Congressional Silver Medal in 2001, and his service and outstanding contributions were recognized by Arizona Gov. Jane Hull on May 9, 2002, and by the 45th Arizona State Legislature on May 13, 2002.
After his military service, Martin worked for the BNSF Railway, retiring in 1988. Since his retirement, he worked at home in Crownpoint, raising livestock and farming.
Martin is survived by wife, Linda E. Martin, his children, Patricia Begay of Crownpoint, Pearl Nez of Standing Rock, N.M., Lucinda Rosenbauer of Deming, N.M., Perlinda Begay of Crownpoint, son Jasper Martin of Mesa, Ariz., Bernadette Martin of Crownpoint, Matthew Martin Jr. of Arlington, Va., Merlinda Martin of Becenti, N.M., Brenda Martin of Crownpoint, Sgt. Lamar Martin, who is serving with the National Guard and is stationed in Georgia, Patrick Martin of Crownpoint, Sharlinda Martin of Standing Rock, and his siblings Paul Martin, Billy Martin, Leo Martin, and Alice Platero, all of Crownpoint, and Bernice Etcitty of Standing Rock.
Martin was preceded in death by his parents, Christine Tso and Edgar Martin, his siblings Mary Biggs, Tom Martin Sr. and Willie Martin, and his sons Delbert Martin, Mar Martin, Eugene Martin.
Martin's funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at the Gospel Lighthouse Assembly of God Church in Crownpoint.
