Clarence Ames Martin (September 13, 1896 – December 11, 1986) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Army with the rank of Major General. A veteran of World War I, he distinguished himself as Company Commander in France and held various staff and field assignments during interwar period.
Following a tour of staff assignments at the beginning of World War II, Martin assumed command of 128th Infantry Regiment in late 1942. He distinguished himself during the Battle of Buna–Gona and received Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest military decorations of the United States for bravery in combat. Martin subsequently rose to the general's rank and after service as Assistant Division Commander, 32nd Infantry Division, he assumed command of 31st Infantry Division, which he led during the liberation of the Philippines in 1945.
Early career
Clarence A. Martin was born on September 13, 1896, in Belle Haven, Virginia as the son of farmer James P. Martin and Elizabeth S. Turlington. Following the high school, he entered the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia and during his studies, he was active in baseball, football and track. Martin graduated as 11th in a class of 59 with Bachelor of Science degree in Civil engineering in May 1917, shortly after the United States' entry into World War I and was appointed Captain in the National Army.
He assumed command of Company "K", 320th Infantry Regiment at Camp Lee in Petersburg, Virginia and upon activation of 80th Division, Martin resigned his emergency Captain's commission to accept Regular Army commission as Second lieutenant of Infantry on October 25, 1917. He was promoted directly to first lieutenant on that date and subsequently assigned to the newly organized Company "D", 56th Infantry Regiment, 7th Division at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia where he took part in the intensive training for deployment overseas.
Martin was transferred to the Company "C" of his Regiment and attended the Automatic School of Arms at Fort Sill, Oklahoma in February 1918. He then assumed command of Company "G" of his regiment at Camp MacArthur in Waco, Texas which he led to the Camp Merritt, New Jersey one month later to embark for France. After the arrival to France in mid-August 1918, Martin conducted final training and preparation to enter the line in the Ancy-le-Franc Training Area. He then attended the III Corps' Field School at Châtillon-sur-Seine before rejoined his company for combats in Meuse-Argonne-Lorraine area. He distinguished himself in combat and received Silver Star citation for bravery in combat. Martin was promoted to the temporary rank of Captain on November 7, 1918, only four days before the Armistice was signed.
Interwar period
The 56th Regiment returned to the United States in early 1919 and was stationed at Camp Funston, Kansas until May 1920, when Martin was transferred to Minneapolis, Minnesota for temporary duty with the local Army recruiting station. His rank of Captain has been made permanent in July that year and he rejoined his company in January 1921, before assumed command of company "E" of 56th Regiment at Camp Meade, Maryland in May 1921.
Martin was ordered to the Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia in September that year and after the completion of Company Officers' Course following June, he was appointed Professor of Military Science and Tactics at the Tennessee Military Institute at Sweetwater, Tennessee. He served in this capacity for five years before he was transferred for service in the Philippines in August 1927. Martin assumed duty as Commanding officer of Company "E", 45th Infantry Regiment (Philippine Scouts) at Fort William McKinley in Manila.
After two years of service in the Philippines, Martin returned to the United States in April 1929 and after a two-month leave with his family, he assumed duty as Commanding officer of Company "F", 34th Infantry Regiment at Fort Eustis, Virginia. He assumed command of Headquarters and Headquarters company of his regiment in October 1931 and remained in that assignment for seven months.
In June 1932, Martin returned to his alma mater, Virginia Military Institute for duty as assistant professor of Military Science and Tactics. While in this capacity, he was promoted to Major in August 1935 and ordered to the instruction at the Army Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in September 1936.
Upon graduation in June 1937, Martin assumed command of 2nd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment at Fort Thomas, Kentucky and served in this capacity until August 1938, when he was transferred to the regimental staff for duty as Intelligence and Operations Officer.
