Private First Class Martin was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Marine Corps. In Korea, he was a medic with the Medical Company, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was listed as Missing in Action while tending his wounded comrades at the Changjin Reservoir near Hudong-ni, North Korea, on 2 December 1950. He was 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 Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Ribbon, the Combat Medical 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.