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Brigadier General <em>William Franklin Martin</em>, U.S. Army, retired, was born in Ripley, Ohio, July 19, 1863; he was reared in Xenia, Ohio, prepared for a classical college; was appointed to the United States Military Academy from Ohio, in 1881; was graduated therefrom in 1885 and appointed second lieutenant of infantry.</p>
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Upon his retirement from active service General and Mrs. Martin made their home in Atlanta, Georgia in order to be near their only daughter, Mrs. L. V. Nichols, whose husband, Col. Nichols, was then stationed at Fort McPherson, Georgia.</p>
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Since retirement General Martin has been active in American Legion and Boy Scout activities and more recently in organization of civic defense work.</p>
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Surviving General Martin are his daughter, Mrs. Nichols, her husband and their three children and several brothers and sisters.</p>
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After his graduation from West Point, Lieutenant Martin took part in Indian campaigns and served at Fort Buford, Fort Shaw, Fort Totten and Fort Snelling, where he met his wife, Josephine Edgerton. Miss Edgerton was the daughter of Joseph K. Edgerton, former U.S. Congressman from Indiana and railroad pioneer.</p>
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Three years later in 1892 Lieutenant Martin was promoted to first lieutenant and joined the 5th Infantry in which he served continuously for 21 years as lieutenant, captain and major. A tour at the General Service School, Fort Leavenworth, was interrupted by the outbreak of the Spanish American War. He rejoined his regiment for service at Santiago, Cuba. His regiment returned in 1899 to Fort Sheridan, Ill., but was ordered almost immediately to the Philippines. En route Lt. Martin was promoted to captain and sent to a most inaccessible part of Abra province in northern Luzon. Here insurgent forces under Tinlo, Padre Agllpay, Bias and Juan Villamore were well armed and carrying on active warfare, causing the regiment to be constantly in the field chasing the numerous guerilla bands of their noted insurrecto leaders. On December 10th, 1900, Captain W. F. Martin while commanding Company “C” in going to the relief of a detachment of the 36th Volunteer Infantry, attacked a large party of riflemen and bolo men under Lieutenant Villamore. The latter and a number of his men were killed. Again on February 16th, 1901, Company “C”, Capt. Martin and Second Lieutenant Paul W. Beck with a detachment of native scouts attacked Juan Villamore’s forces at Parparia, Abra. One insurgent officer and eight soldiers were killed and rifles, carbines, ammunition, saddles and horses were captured. Later Captain Martin participated in many of the engagements which culminated in the surrender of the insurgent forces and the bringing of peace to northern Luzon.</p>
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Upon returning to this country he served with the 5th Infantry until his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel in 1914. During this period he was ordered to Cuba in 1906 with his regiment which became a part of the Pacification forces. Later he attended the War College becoming an instructor and a member of the General Staff.</p>
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In 1916 he served on the Mexican Border as Chief of Staff in El Paso under General Bell and for a time under General Pershing prior to the outbreak of the World War I.</p>
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Colonel Martin was among the first promoted to Brigadier General and commanded the 174th Infantry Brigade and for a time, the 87th Division in France. Enroute to France, his ship, the Persic was torpedoed. Later General Martin was recommended by General Summerall for a decoration for his bravery in remaining on the ship until all his men had been safely transferred to destroyers.</p>
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Upon returning to America he commanded the 26th Infantry until 1920 when he was ordered to the nine months field officers course at the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. In 1921 and 1922 he commanded the China Expedition in Tientsin, China. He then became officer in charge of National Guard Affairs in Wisconsin. At the completion of this service he commanded the General Reserve Depot at Columbus, Ohio until he retired for age in 1927.</p>
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As the best testimonial of General Martin’s character the following excerpts from letters written by his brothers officers are quoted:</p>
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“Bill Martin was the first member of our class, ‘85 that I met at West Point. He was a loyal comrade and a fine officer and gentlemen, and will be remembered as such by all who had the privilege of serving with him.”</p>
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<em>Colonel Samuel E. Smiley, Ret’d.</em></p>
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“Billy Martin was one of my dearest friends—61 years of unbroken friendship.”</p>
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<em>U. Samuel Ward, M.D, Class of ‘85.</em></p>
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“General Martin was a man universally esteemed by officers and men alike under him. The hold that he had over them and the superb example as a soldier that he set for them did much to influence their lives and made of them better men and better officers.</p>
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“He was a man to be emulated—a remarkable man and officer. All his officers and men felt his absolute fairness, directness, rectitude, restraint, kindly thought and humaness. Quiet, modest, firm when needed, he touched the lives of many men and always to their good.”</p>
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<em>Charles W. White, Major General, A. V. H.</em></p>
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“General Martin was one of the grandest characters I have ever known. From the date of my joining the glorious old 5th Infantry, and all through my 38 years of commissioned service, the General was an inspiration—gentle, considerate, clean and a man who held the highest ideas of duty. He earned and held the admiration and affection of all soldiers who were privileged to serve with him. God bless him—would that there were more officers of his type in the Service today. The Army needs men of General Martin’s caliber.”</p>
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<em>Noble J. Wiley, Colonel, Infantry, Ret’d.</em></p>
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