MARTIN, JOHN MURRAY

Name: John Murray Martin
Rank/Branch: O3/US Air Force
Unit:
Date of Birth: 17 June 1931
Home City of Record: Glenshaw PA (family in DE)
Date of Loss: 20 November 1967
Country of Loss: North Vietnam/Over Water
Loss Coordinates: 170800N 1072000E (YD135985)
Status (in 1973): Missing In Action
Category: 5
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: F4C
Refno: 0923
Others In Incident: James Badley (rescued)

Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 15 March 1991 from one or more of
the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence
with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W.
NETWORK 12/2003 with information provided by John Martin's daughter. 2020

REMARKS:

SYNOPSIS: The Phantom, used by Air Force, Marine and Navy air wings, served
a multitude of functions including fighter-bomber and interceptor, photo and
electronic surveillance. The two man aircraft was extremely fast (Mach 2),
and had a long range (900 - 2300 miles, depending on stores and mission
type). The F4 was also extremely maneuverable and handled well at low and
high altitudes. Most pilots considered it one of the "hottest" planes
around.

James Badley flew backseater on F4C Phantom fighter jets. It was his job to
operate the sophisticated computerized navigation and weapons systems of the
aircraft. He was highly trained and specialized. His job was tough, but one
of the most sought after for a pilot.

When Badley and his pilot, Capt John Murray Martin, embarked on a combat
mission on November 20, 1967, Martin was not to return. The aircraft was
shot down very near the island of Hon Co, about 10 miles northeast of the
Demilitarized Zone, in North Vietnam. His last known location was very near
the island of Hon Co, about 10 miles northeast of the Demilitarized Zone
(DMZ). Badley ejected and was rescued.

Tina Martin passed away in early 2002 still waiting for answers.

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01/2020

https://dpaa.secure.force.com/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000KZxiEAG

LT COL JOHN MURRAY MARTIN

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On November 20, 1967, a F-4C Phantom II (tail number 63-7680, call sign: “Crab 02”) carrying two crew members took off as the number two aircraft in a two-plane strike mission against enemy targets in North Vietnam. While attacking a target, the Phantom was hit and damaged by enemy fire. The aircraft headed toward the Gulf of Tonkin, and the aircraft commander aboard the Phantom ordered the pilot to eject. The aircraft then crashed off the coast. The aircraft commander was not seen to eject from the aircraft before it went down. Search teams located and rescued the Phantom’s pilot, but were unable to locate the aircraft commander or his remains.

Captain (Capt) John Murray Martin, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Pennsylvania, was a member of the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron. He was the aircraft commander aboard the Phantom when it went down, and was lost in the crash. His remains have not been recovered. Subsequent to the incident, and while carried in the status of missing in action (MIA), the U.S Air Force promoted Capt Martin to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col). Today, Lt Col Martin is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual's case to be in the analytical category of Active Pursuit.

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