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Personal info

Full name
MARTINEZ, Roy J
Date of birth
25 January 1917
Age
26
Place of birth
Zwolle, Sabine Parish, Louisiana
Hometown
Zwolle, Sabine Parish, Louisiana

Military service

Service number
O-739040
Rank
Second Lieutenant
Function
Bombardier
Unit
548th Bombardment Squadron,
385th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Finding of Death
Date of death
26 July 1943
Place of death
North Sea, off the East Frisian Islands, 35 miles off the nearest land, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
John H. Martinez (father)
Lena (Bebee) Martinez (mother)
Elsie K. Martinez (sister)
Henrietta M. Martinez (sister)
Louis J. Martinez (brother)
Robert Martinez (brother)
James A. Martinez Sr. (brother)
Thelma M. Martinez (sister)
Lois A. Martinez (sister)
Henry E. Martinez (brother)
Joseph H. Martinez (brother)
Lillian Martinez (sister)
Mildred (Reimers) Martinez (wife)

Plane data

Serial number
42-30281
Data
Type: B-17F
Destination: Hannover, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 191

More information

2nd Lt Roy J. Martinez graduated from Zwolle High School and was a chauffeur.

He joined the Air Corps of the Regular Army on 16 July 1940 and received basic training at Barksdale Field. He received his wings in Roswell, New Mexico in February 1943.

He was married to Mildred Reimers in March 1943.

At the time of his death, his brother Louis was stationed at Camp Hood, Texas.

The plane blew up before hitting the water. It had been on fire and seemed to be trying to ditch. No parachutes were reported from this plane.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, Peter Schouteten, Joni R. Martinez, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.fold3.com, www.ancestry.com, www.newspapers.com - The Times - 14 August 1943

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.newspapers.com - The Times - 14 August 1943