Jim “Pee Wee” Martin in Ohio, one of the “Toccoa Originals” and few surviving paratroopers of WWII sat down with Jason and Rich, along with a handful of GORUCK Cadre, for Episode 044 in Ohio. On June 6, 2014, the 70th anniversary of D-Day, Martin became the last WWII era American paratrooper to jump over Normandy at the age of 93, landing behind Utah Beach just as he had 70 years earlier. A frank storyteller with strong opinions, Mr. Martin sprinkles his recollections with the greater history as well as personal anecdotes, and reminds that he is “just a representative of his unit.” 

A child of the Depression, Martin entered the military in 1942 and volunteered for the 101st Airborne Division -- what became the Screaming Eagles. He and the original “Toccoa Men” went through intense training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, where the 506th was formed under Colonel Robert F. Sink. Martin talks about his decision to serve and the culling process at Currahee mountain -- from 6500 to 1650 men over the first 6months -- with blunt honesty. Despite being the smallest in his unit at 103 pounds (hence “Pee Wee” as a nickname) he says the only worry was if he was going to be able to stay.

The night before D-Day, June 6, 1944, Martin’s company parachuted over Normandy and touched down in enemy-controlled territory behind Utah Beach. They fought for 43 days as part of the Normandy campaign -- including in “Bloody Gulch” -- before moving on to invade Holland; holding the line in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge; and finishing off by taking Berchtesgaden, site of Hitler’s “Eagle’s Nest” redoubt in the German Alps.

Martin celebrated his 100th birthday this year with a mass parachute drop -- including two of his granddaughters -- using vintage aircraft in a tribute to his place in history and his community. He talks about returning to Ohio in a time of continued rationing, marrying Donna (his wife of 72years before she passed two years ago) and building a life for them and their 5 children. He says that while he rarely thinks about his service “except during talks like this” because he and his fellows “had more important things to do” he shares many memories from his unique perspective. 

Links:

• Jim Martin’s Facebook Page
• Battle of Bloody Gulch
• “Jim "Pee Wee" Martin - Airborne Soldier” video by U.S. Army Broadcasting (2014)
• Mark Bando’s 101st Airborne - the Screaming Eagles at Normandy
• Maj. Gen. James McConville and French Legion honors
• Learn more about GORUCK 
• Glorious Professionals podcast website