Major Martin was a decorated veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, X Corps. He was at the forward command post near Hagaru-ri, North Korea when it was overrun by the Chinese forces on the night of 29-30 November. He was listed as Missing in Action on 29 November 1950 and presumed dead on 31 December 1953. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

Martin was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.