Radarman William Martin

The Tribune
Seymour, Indiana
Thursday, September 27, 1945
Page 1

Radarman Is Listed Missing After Typhoon

William Martin, Jr. Was on Minesweeper In Pacific When Storm Struck Ship September 16

William A. Martin, Jr., radarman, third class, of the U.S. Navy, has been reported missing as the result of a typhoon on September 16 in the South Pacific, according to word received by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. W.A. Martin, West Fifth street.

The Navy Department message, which was signed by Vice-Admiral Louis Denfeld, chief of Naval Personnel, stated that the anxiety of RdM 3/c Martin's family was appreciated further information would be sent to them as soon as it was received by the Navy department.

RdM Martinj's last letter home was dated September 13, just three days before the date he was reported missing, and was written at Okinawa. Letters received by local relatives of various members of the armed forces stationed in the South Pacific, written about that time, have stated that warnings had been given of terrific typhoons arising from the coast of China and Japan. These whirlwind storms have been described as of terrific velocity and very high waves, and RdM Martin's relatives believe that the shallow minesweeper, on which he was stationed, evidently encountered difficulty in battling the storm.

Played in Bands

A graduate of Shields High School with teh class of 1937, RdM Martin, who is twenty-five years of age, is a talented musician and played his trumpet in many dance bands throughout the state and in surrounding states. While he attended Wabash Collige at Crawfordsville, he was a member of the Wabash Collegians, a well-known dance band, and also played in the college band. Later, he formed his own band, which was very popular and in great demand.

Prior to his entrance into the Navy on May 24, 1944, he was employed in the purchasing and contracting office at Freeman Field. After boot training at great Lakes, Ill., he attended radar school in San Diego, Calif. and later was sent to Norfolk, Va. He was stationed on a minesweeper in the Atlantic and then was sent to the Pacific area in May. He had spent a short leave with his family to April.

RdM Martin's wife, Mrs. Judy Martin, and two children, Denny, age five, and Linda, age three, are with Mrs. Martin's parents in Texas. His sister, First Lieutenant Margie Martin Lange, is stationed with the army nurse corps at a hospital in England.