Martin Brandtner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Martin Brandtner
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| Born | 3 July 1938 Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | 3 January 2017 (aged 78) Reno, Nevada, U.S. |
| Buried |
Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery
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| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1960–1993 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | 1st Recruit Training Battalion 5th Marine Regiment 2d Force Service Support Group 10th Marine Expeditionary Brigade |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Navy Cross (2) Defense Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Purple Heart |
Martin Louis Brandtner (born July 3, 1938 – died January 3, 2017) was a very brave and highly honored United States Marine Corps general. He reached the rank of Lieutenant General. He is one of only two Marines who received the Navy Cross twice during the Vietnam War. The Navy Cross is the second highest award for bravery in combat.
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Early Life and Education
Martin Brandtner was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on July 3, 1938. His parents were Alex Peter and Ida Marie Brandtner. He went to the University of Minnesota and studied English. While in college, he was a talented athlete, playing football and wrestling.
After graduating in June 1960, he joined the Marines as a second lieutenant. He did this through a special scholarship program called the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps.
Marine Corps Career
After finishing his basic training at The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, in March 1961, Martin Brandtner stayed there. He worked at the Officer Candidates School, helping to train new officers.
In February 1962, he joined the 1st Marine Brigade. He served in the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. Here, he led a group of soldiers (a rifle platoon) and later became a company commander. A company is a military unit made up of several platoons.
In February 1965, he moved to Japan with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. In April 1965, he was sent to Vietnam. There, he helped protect the main base for the Wing Headquarters at Da Nang Air Base.
Bravery in Vietnam
In July 1968, General Brandtner returned to Vietnam. He joined the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. He commanded a rifle company and later became a major. While leading his company, he was injured in battle. For his incredible bravery, he was awarded the Navy Cross not once, but twice! This is a very rare honor, and he was one of only two Marines to receive it twice during the Vietnam War.
After his second tour in Vietnam, in August 1969, he returned to the United States. He worked with the Marine Corps Reserve in Minneapolis. In 1972, he was chosen to attend the Naval War College in Rhode Island. He graduated with honors and earned a master’s degree in International Relations from George Washington University in 1973.
Rising Through the Ranks
After his studies, General Brandtner worked at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C. He helped plan military operations until July 1976. He then served in Okinawa, Japan, as an operations officer for the 3rd Marine Division. In April 1977, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
From 1977 to 1980, he was stationed at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in California. He first served as an executive officer and then became the commanding officer of the 1st Recruit Training Battalion. Here, he was in charge of training new Marines.
In July 1980, he attended the Air War College and graduated with honors. He then worked as a senior military assistant for the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy until 1984. During this time, in July 1982, he was promoted to colonel.
He returned to the field and served at Camp Pendleton, California. From June 1985 to May 1986, he commanded the 5th Marine Regiment. In July 1986, he became the Chief of Staff for the 1st Marine Division. In December 1987, he was selected for promotion to brigadier general.
He continued to rise, becoming a brigadier general in July 1988. He commanded the 2d Force Service Support Group and the 10th Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
Director for Operations
In May 1990, he was promoted to major general. He became the Vice Director for Operations, J-3 Joint Staff. This role meant he helped oversee military operations for the entire U.S. military.
On March 11, 1991, he was promoted to lieutenant general. He then became the Director for Operations, J-3, Joint Staff, in Washington. He held this very important position until he retired from the Marine Corps on June 1, 1993.
Military Awards
General Brandtner received many awards for his service and bravery, including:
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| Row-1 | Navy Cross with a gold star (meaning he received it twice) | Defense Distinguished Service Medal | Defense Superior Service Medal | Legion of Merit with a "Combat V" (for valor) |
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| Row-2 | Purple Heart (for being wounded in combat) | Combat Action Ribbon | Navy Presidential Unit Citation with a bronze star | Navy Unit Commendation |
| Row-3 | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with three bronze stars | National Defense Service Medal with a bronze star | Vietnam Service Medal with a silver star and two bronze stars | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon |
| Row-4 | Vietnam Gallantry Cross with a bronze star | Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit citation with a Palm | Vietnam Civil Actions unit citation with a Palm | Vietnam Campaign Medal |
Later Life and Legacy
After retiring from the military, General Brandtner moved to Reno, Nevada. He worked as the Development Director for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno. He also served on the Board of Directors for Bishop Manogue High School.
General Martin Brandtner passed away on January 3, 2017, at the age of 78, in Reno, Nevada. He was buried on January 18, 2017, at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley, Nevada. He received a full military honors ceremony, recognizing his long and distinguished service to his country.
See also
- List of Navy Cross recipients for the Vietnam War
