Robert Martin (aviator) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
First Lieutenant
Robert Leander Martin
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| Born | 9 February 1919 Dubuque, Iowa |
| Died | July 26, 2018 (aged 99) Olympia Fields, Illinois |
| Allegiance | American |
| Service/ |
Air Force |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Unit | 100th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group |
| Awards |
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| Spouse(s) | Odette Ewell Martin |
First Lieutenant Robert L. Martin (born February 9, 1919 – died July 26, 2018) was a brave Tuskegee Airman who flew during World War II. He was part of a special group of African American military pilots and airmen. His plane was shot down during a mission over Yugoslavia. For his courage, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
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Early Life and Dreams
Robert L. Martin was born in Dubuque, Iowa, on February 9, 1919. His mother passed away soon after he was born. His father, Henry Martin, was a foot doctor, also known as a podiatrist.
When Robert was 13, he went to an air show as a Boy Scout. Watching the planes fly made him dream of becoming a pilot himself. He finished high school in Dubuque in 1936. While studying at Iowa State University, he learned to fly in a special training program for civilians. In 1942, he earned a degree in electrical engineering.
Becoming a Tuskegee Airman
On January 7, 1944, at age 23, Robert Martin completed his flight training. This happened at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama. He joined the 100th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group. These groups were famous for being made up of African American pilots.
Martin explained that at Tuskegee, different groups were kept separate. All the students, ground crews, mechanics, and medics were Black. However, the senior instructors were all white. Soon after his training, Martin was sent to Italy. He often said he flew "63 and a half" combat missions during World War II.
Close Calls in the Sky
On December 9, 1944, Martin was flying back to base. His P-51 Mustang plane had engine trouble. He had to land in a rough area in Italy. The plane was damaged, but Martin was able to walk away safely.
In March 1945, Martin was on what would have been his 64th mission. His plane was hit by enemy fire during an attack on an airfield in Zagreb, Yugoslavia. Martin said that he and seven other pilots were trying to hit two planes on the ground. They missed their target and were pushed off course by strong winds. Martin felt a bump in his plane and knew he had been hit. The engine caught fire, and he had to jump out. When his parachute opened, it hit his chin and knocked him out for a moment.
Martin found safety in a farmhouse. He was later rescued by Marshal Josip Broz Tito's Partisans. They hid him until he could safely return to his unit. He stayed with them for about five weeks. After the war, Martin left the military as a captain.
Awards for Bravery
Robert L. Martin received several important awards for his service:
- Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters (meaning he earned it seven times)
- Congressional Gold Medal, given to all the Tuskegee Airmen in 2006
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Purple Heart
Life After the War
After Victory in Europe Day in 1945, Martin returned to the U.S. He looked for jobs as an electrical engineer. However, it was hard to find work because many companies were not hiring Black engineers at that time. Martin took various jobs, like driving a taxi and working in factories.
Later, he was hired as a draftsman by the Chicago Park District. He then became an electrical engineer for the city of Chicago. Martin worked there for 37 years before retiring.
Martin was married for 68 years to Odette Ewell. They lived in Olympia Fields, Illinois. They had four children: Gabrielle, Noelle, Dominique, and Robert Martin Jr. They also had two grandchildren. Robert L. Martin passed away from pneumonia on July 26, 2018, at the age of 99.
Honoring a Hero
On July 21, 2020, the Dubuque Regional Airport Commission voted to name its only terminal after Captain Robert L. Martin. People started raising money to build a monument and teach others about Captain Robert Martin and the Tuskegee Airmen. The Captain Robert L. Martin Terminal was officially opened on July 19, 2022.
See also
- Dogfights (TV series)
- Executive Order 9981
- Fly (2009 play about the 332d Fighter Group)
- Freeman Field Mutiny
- List of Tuskegee Airmen
- Military history of African Americans
- The Tuskegee Airmen (movie)
