Sergeant First Class Martinez was the platoon sergeant of the 2nd Platoon, Engineer Company, 187th Airborne Infantry Regimental Combat Team. He was seriously wounded at Punggi Pass, South Korea, on 17 January 1951, where he performed in an outstanding manner. He returned to duty on 20 January 1951. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy at Inje, South Korea, on 28 May 1951.

For his leadership and valor, Sergeant First Class Martinez was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Parachute Badge with 2 Combat Jump Stars, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.