Lt. Col. Paul A. Martin Jr.

Paul A. Martin, Jr., 81 of Oxford, MD died at Mallard Bay Care Center in Cambridge, MD on Wednesday, October 23, 2013. Born in Eddington, PA on January 14, 1932 of the late, Paul A. Martin, Sr., and Anna E. Schuster. He moved to Oxford in 1938. He worked at the Tred Avon Hoisery Mill, family owned, for four years as a teenager. Graduated from Easton High School in 1949 and attended Wyomissing Poly Tech in Reading, PA and then enlisted in the Air Force in 1951. He began duty at Sampson AFB, Geneva, NY for basic training and then on to Lowery AFB, Denver, CO to attend remote control turret school to become a RCT mechanic to repair and service gunnery systems on B-29’s and A-26’s. Thereafter, he became a crew member on the B-29 as a gunner. In May of 1953, he was assigned to Okinawa and flew missions to Korea. He entered pilot training in 1954 at Lackland AFB, Texas and primary at Malden, MO. Then onto Webb AFB, Big Spring Texas and was a distinguished graduate and fully qualified jet pilot. He was assigned to Luke AFB in June 1955 and became a fully qualified fighter pilot in conventional and nuclear weapons. He was fully qualified in F100 jets in 1957 and attended Instructor Pilot Instrument School. He went on assignment to Lakenheath AFB, England, August 1961 and served in the 48th TAC Wing and became Chief of Training for the wing. He was reassigned to Homestead AFB, Florida in August 1964. While there he deployed to Izmir, Turkey. Upon return he deployed to Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam and flew 154 combat missions and received the Distinguished Flyer Medal, 13 air medals and a Purple Heart. January 1966 he returned stateside and was stationed at Langley AFB, VA. In August of 1969 he returned to Phran Rang, Vietnam for 80 more combat missions totaling 234 missions in his lifetime. January, 1970 he was assigned to Dover AFB Delaware and retired in 1972 as Lt. Col. He was manager of Baker Boatyard 1974-1975. Paul was an outstanding Boatwright from years dabbling in woodwork as a youngster. He built Bucktail II and was in charter service for 13 years. He operated a home shop as a custom boat builder and would gladly help anyone with restoration and woodworking advice. He was a very talented modeler in radio controlled boats and airplanes and was involved in many clubs over his lifetime. Paul was a lifetime member of the Oxford Volunteer Fire Department for over 60 years and served as an Oxford Town Commissioner. He restored many areas of his childhood church, Holy Trinity and enjoyed singing in the church choir. Paul loved his family, serving his country, life on the Chesapeake Bay and telling a good story. He is survived by his wife, Patricia L. Martin, childhood sweetheart, married for 58 years and two daughters, Jean T. Holtz and Deborah L. Daniels, sons-in-law, Christopher G. Holtz and Timothy L. Daniels; five grandchildren, Justin Daniels and wife, Amy, Caitlin Daniels, Bennett Daniels, Mackenzie Daniels and Patsy Holtz; one great-grandchild, Justin P. Daniels, II; a sister, Dolores Merganthaler. He was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Ann Martin and his younger sister, Deanna Hall. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 2, 2013, at 2:00 pm at Church of the Holy Trinity in Oxford. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Church of the Holy Trinity, 502 South Morris St, Oxford, MD 21654 or Oxford Volunteer Fire Dept., 300 Oxford Rd., Oxford, MD 21654. Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., Easton.

Lt. Col. Paul A. Martin Jr.

January 14, 1932 - October 23, 2013