Private Ernest A. Martin, a Biography

Preface:

When I first enrolled in History 3044 in the winter of 2016, I did not know the extent to which this class would push me both personally and academically. With only a few weeks left in the semester, I can now say that this has been the most incredibly rewarding academic experience I have had in my four years at George Washington University. On our spring break, March 10 – March 18, 2017, I, along with my professor and his wife, teaching assistant, and classmates, walked in the footsteps of the thousands of American soldiers who fought in World War II on the Western Front.

To make the experience even more meaningful and personal, we were each given the task of finding a soldier from our hometown who sacrificed everything for the freedom of the American people and is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France. At first, I was not sure how to begin to approach the research that was needed to initially find a soldier. I began over winter break by going to the Pennsylvania State Library in Harrisburg, just about 15 minutes from my house. I paged through The Patriot, a Harrisburg newspaper now known as The Patriot News, for a few hours one day. I flipped through the month of June 1944, looking for specific names of those lost during the D-Day invasion. I left empty-handed, apart from a parking ticket.

I decided to take a more direct approach to seek a soldier from Mechanicsburg. When I realized that Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School (MASH) was established in 1875, I decided that contacting them would be my best bet. Although I attended Trinity High School in the neighboring borough of Camp Hill, my uncle taught at Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School for many years. I lived in the Mechanicsburg School District from birth to age 9 and would have attended the schools had I not been in private school. I called the school librarian and told her about the project. She put me in contact with the school district’s archivist and historian, William Murray. I called him and set up a meeting with him that same afternoon. When I arrived, William had already brought out materials that he believed would help me in my research. One of the first pieces we looked at was a 2-page spread from The Torch, the school’s newspaper, from May 1945 that included a picture of and small paragraph about every graduate that had died during World War II. After scanning the page, I noticed a young man who was listed as being killed in France on July 25, 1944. I knew there would be a good chance this soldier was buried at the Normandy American Cemetery, and after searching his name on the American Battle Monuments Commission website, I discovered that I was correct. He was the first and only name that I needed to search. I had found my soldier, Private Ernest R. Martin.

Ernest grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, just blocks away from my grade school. He graduated from the local public high school in Mechanicsburg and got married. Ernest enlisted in the United States Army and was a participant during Operation Overlord and Operation Cobra. Yet Ernest did not get to go home. Ernest gave up everything for his country. I will never know Ernest, but because of this project, I have gained some insight into his 28 years of life. I am forever grateful for the connection that has been made between us, two Mechanicsburgers – one who has the chance to live a free life in America because of the other. On our trip to France in March, I stood over Ernest’s grave and had the chance to say “thank you.”

Life in Pennsylvania:

Ernest Raymond Martin was born April 4, 1916, in Pennsylvania along with his twin, Frank, to their parents, Addison C. Martin and Grace May (Klink) Martin.¹ Addison C. Martin was born in York County, Pennsylvania, in 1879, and Grace May Klink was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1882.² The two were married in 1898.³ Soon after, the Martins started their family, welcoming their first son, Harry.⁴ Clara was born in 1899, with Mabel arriving in 1906.⁵ Mary, Robert, and

Edith followed in 1910, 1912, and 1915, respectively.⁶ Ernest and Frank joined their six older siblings in 1916.⁷ In 1924, Clarence became that last addition to the Martin family.⁸ Both Robert and Clarence also served during World War II. Robert was serving as a Corporal in the Army in France and Clarence was a Master Sergeant in the Marine Corps at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina at the time of Ernest’s death in July 1944. Both of Ernest’s brothers survived the war.⁹

Ernest and his family first lived on Hummel Avenue in Lemoyne, later moving to 38 East Keller Street in Mechanicsburg before the 1930 census.¹⁰ Ernest was a student in the Mechanicsburg School District. Ernest completed the eighth grade in 1933 with his twin, Frank, at the age of 17.¹¹ It is unclear whether Ernest and his brother began school late or were held back. Ernest went on to graduate from Mechanicsburg High School in 1937 at the age of 21.¹² Frank only completed up to his third year of high school.¹³ Frank went on to live a full life and died at the age of 74 in 1990. He is buried with both of his parents and his sister, Clara, in Longsdorf Cemetery in Mechanicsburg. Clara, Grace, and Addison died in 1931, 1948, and 1963, respectively.¹⁴

In his senior yearbook, Ernest’s nickname, “Ernie,” is included, along with a quote about him: “He is not of that kind, to throw off his friend when he most needs him.”¹⁵ He was not involved in any clubs, yet his character was obviously quite notable to his classmates. The section of the yearbook entitled “To Be or Not to Be” lists each of the members of the senior class, along with his or her “outstanding attribute,” “desire,” and “destiny.” Ernest is listed with an outstanding attribute of “seriousness,” a desire of being a “businessman,” and a destiny of becoming a “press agent.”¹⁶

Sometime after graduation, Ernest got a job as a watchman for the Pennsylvania Railroad, a job that entailed protecting the railroad and its employees and earned him an income of $900 a year.¹⁷ As of 1940, Ernest was still a single man, however, he was married before he entered the Army in 1943. His wife, Pearl R. Karns, was born in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1922.¹⁸ Pearl lived at their home at 14 South York Street in Mechanicsburg while Ernest served in the war.¹⁹ Pearl was later remarried to Charles B. Bishop with whom she had two children. She died in 2005.²⁰

While Ernest’s brothers entered the service in 1942, Ernest was inducted into the Armed Forces on May 1, 1943.²¹ Perhaps this was because Ernest and Pearl were adjusting to married life. He was assigned to the 69^th Infantry Division, trained at Camp Shelby in Mississippi, and was stationed in New York.²² In June 1944, he was sent overseas to England²³ where he served as a Private in the 119^th Infantry Regiment of the 30^th Infantry Division of the United States Army. His service number was 33508624.²⁴ Because the 69^th Infantry Division did not arrive in England until December 1944, five months after Ernest’s death, it can be assumed that Ernest was transferred to the 30^th Infantry Division sometime after his training, which sent him overseas in June 1944.²⁵

The 69^th Infantry Division was created in May 1943 at Camp Shelby, where its soldiers trained for eighteen months.²⁶ Ernest’s training was likely cut short, for it was reported that he was stationed in New York for some time and went overseas in June 1944.²⁷ By this time, Ernest must have been a member of the 119^th Infantry Regiment of the 30^th Infantry Division.

The 119^th Infantry Division crossed the English Channel and landed on Omaha Beach in Northern France on June 13, 1944, one week after D-Day. On June 15, the regiment was given the task of occupying a line along the Vire River and told to attack if given the order by the Division. They engaged in battle with the enemy on several occasions within their first days in France. During the last days of June, the Regiment stayed in the same approximate position and had limited contact with the Germans. After much observing and planning, the Regiment was able to cross the Vire River on July 7, although not without sustaining heavy casualties in the attacks that followed. In the two days after the crossing, the 119^th Regiment suffered 73 casualties – seven killed and 66 wounded. Heavy fighting continued for over a week.²⁸

While the 119^th Regiment was fighting on the front lines, General Omar Bradley was making plans for the breakout from the Normandy beachhead. The goal of the operation, codenamed Operation Cobra, was to move farther into the mainland of France from St.-Lô towards Brittany and Paris. After the successful landing on the beaches of Normandy, the troops were impeded from continuing their attempt to liberate France and eventually move into Germany. Bradley’s plan called for a combination of ground forces and carpet bombings.²⁹ Originally, the operation was scheduled for July 21, however, it was postponed because of inclement weather.³⁰

A large part of the operation relied on the United States Army’s superior air power and bombardment, although this decision did not come without controversy and dispute. Bradley wanted to guarantee that there would be enough fire power, yet not put his troops in danger. He selected a safety zone of eight hundred yards for his troops and told the air commanders that “the bombers must approach the target parallel to the enemy lines, rather than over the heads of the infantry, to avoid the risk that they might accidentally drop their ordinance on friendly foxholes.” This is where parts of the 30^th Infantry Division were stationed, including the 119^th Infantry Regiment. On July 24, the operation began early, with American bombers flying through the overcast sky and dropping bombs on their own men. The bombers had approached on the perpendicular to the infantry lines, instead of parallel, as was planned.³¹ The 119^th Infantry’s casualties were five killed, 28 wounded, and one missing.³² The next day included even more cases of friendly fire. July 25, 1944 was described as “the blackest day in the history of the Regiment and probably the brightest for the free world” and was Ernest’s last day.³³ The 119^th Infantry suffered heavier casualties, including 40 killed, 220 wounded, and ten missing.³⁴

In August, the War Department reported that Ernest had been “missing in action” since July 25.³⁵ One month later, Ernest’s status was changed to “killed in action,” with July 25, 1944 becoming his death date.³⁶ It can be assumed that Ernest was one of the friendly fire casualties during the commencement of Operation Cobra.

Memory and Legacy:

Ernest was awarded the Purple Heart on October 21, 1944.³⁷ On December 9, 1944, Colonel E.M. Sutherland of the 119^th Infantry wrote a letter to Corporal Robert L. Martin, Ernest’s older brother, expressing his “heartfelt sympathy and deepest regret over the loss” of Ernest.³⁸ He went on to explain that Ernest was buried in Normandy, “a chaplain officiated at the burial,” and “he is keenly missed by his comrades.”³⁹ Ernest’s permanent place of rest is the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France. The pure white cross emblazoned with Ernest’s name, unit, home state, and death date is located in Plot G Row 27 Grave 5.⁴⁰ He lies among thousands of heroes.

Ernest is remembered in his hometown of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania at Memorial Park Stadium. The Mechanicsburg High School athletic field is a memorial to the veterans of World War II. Ernest’s name is listed on a plaque among other deceased veterans of World War II, as well as World War I, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Conflict.

Ernest is featured in an exhibit at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The exhibit, entitled The Soldier Experience, allows visitors to experience each of the wars the United States Army has participated in through the eyes of specific soldiers who fought in them. Visitors receive the soldier’s “dog tag,” which allows them to interact with parts of the exhibit to see different aspects of life for the soldier, such as the types of weapon and transport they used. Ernest is the featured World War II soldier, helping visitors understand the price of freedom.

While Private Ernest R. Martin was killed in action on July 25, 1944, the 119^th Infantry Regiment of the 30^th Infantry Division continued to serve until World War II’s conclusion in May 1945. Despite the initial setbacks of July 24-25, 1944, the Americans continued to move further into France throughout the next few days. The Germans were forced to retreat, because they were not able to recover quickly enough to defend themselves. On July 30, the 2^nd Armored Division engaged in a tank battle with the enemy, and the victory there marked the end of Operation Cobra.⁴¹

The End of the War:

The 119^th Regiment continued through France, fighting in the battle at Mortain in August 1944. They then moved into Belgium, Holland, and the Siegfried Line in September 1944. From December 1944 to January 1945, the Regiment endured a harsh winter during the Battle of the Bulge. They also fought at battles at the Roer and Rhine Rivers, as part of the Rhineland Campaign in February and March 1945, respectively. In April and May 1945, the Regiment was able to help with the breakthrough into Germany and the battle at the Elbe River.⁴² Fred G. Knox summed up the service of the 119^th Infantry Regiment with the following song he composed and dedicated to the Regiment:

The war lords of the Rising Sun

Deeming the war in Europe won,

Trusting the Western Eagle Slept,

At our Pacific outposts lept—

Tore our unconquered flag to strips.

And in our harbors sank our ships.

Then formed the lads of victory

The Hundred Nineteenth Infantry.

Colonel Ednie trained you for the wars.

You saw both France and England’s shores,

Received your baptism of fire

When Hitler’s Panzers lost the Vire.

With Colonel Sutherland attain

Pont Hebert, Troisgots and Mortain.

There the SS Troops in counter meet

And make them taste their first defeat.

At Aachen broke that hope and sign

Of German power, the Siegfried Line;

Again the First Shock Troops in fierce attack

At Stoumont you meet and drive them back.

On Christmas Baker took command

Squeezed out the Bulge and led his band

To cross the flooded Roer and Rhine.

There with the Second Armored you combine.

Sweep the Wesser and the Rhineland plain,

Proving all Bosche resistance vain.

This combination proved so rough—

The Jerries cried enough—enough.

You sacrificed to keep us free

By your unshaken bravery.

The Nations praise and honor thee

For courage and fidelity;

Pattern of all our force should be

THE HUNDRED AND NINETEENTH INFANTRY.⁴³

Conclusion:

Ernest sacrificed his comfortable life in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania to join the United States Army and serve his country. Our freedoms are only made possible by the sacrifices of the men and women of the past and present who see in themselves a special duty to their country. “Thank you” will never be enough.