CPL, US Army, Willie Daniel Martinez   

Born: May 13, 1950, NM USA

Died: March 27, 1969, Kon Tum, Vietnam

On March 27th, 1969, United States Army Corporal Willie Daniel Martinez was killed in action in the Vietnam War. Martinez served with A Company, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry, and the 4th Infantry Division.¹ Corporal Martinez was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart in Vietnam. Martinez’s 12th Infantry Regiment was the only regiment to send five battalions into Vietnam. The 12th Infantry Monument stands proudly at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia. The monument honors all who served in the 12th Regiment, past, present, and future. Martinez was only 19 years old when he passed. 

The Santa Fe New Mexican reported on December 26 1968, that Willie D, Martinez had completed his advanced infantry training on December 6th at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Martinez specialized in firing the M-16 rifle, M-60 machine gun, and the 3.5-inch rocket launcher. According to the SFNM, Martinez completed his training with advanced guerrilla warfare tactics. On July 15, 1969, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported that Willie Martinez’s parents accepted the posthumous decorations: the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, and Good Conduct Medal. The presentation was conducted by L.W. Sherrod, senior Army advisor to the NM National Guard.²

Images & Documents

Notes:

1. “Willie Martinez,” Santa Fe New Mexican, 15 July 1969, newspapers.com 
2. Ancestry.com, Vietnam War Military Casualties. 
3. Photos by Find A Grave.com, and Ancestry.com 

Prepared by Sean Melugin, SFCC, VLGP, under the mentorship of Dr. Steve Martinez  

Featured Image:

Willie D. Martinez. Find-a-Grave. Photo added by Tom Reece on 18 Mar 2016.