One of Colonel Robert Sink's original "Toccoa Men", Jim Martin joined the now famous 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division at Camp Toccoa in July, 1942.
He jumped into Normandy on D-Day, into Holland for "Operation Market Garden and was one of the defenders of Bastogne during the "Battle of the Bulge".
At this late date Jim "Pee Wee" Martin is one of the last remaining "Toccoa Originals" (made famous by the HBO mini-series, "Band of Brothers") who is still traveling, meeting the public and carrying forward an eyewitness account of his experiences. He does so as a representative of the veterans of the 101st Airborne Division who are no longer here and in an effort to promote and preserve the legacy and lessons of The Second World War.
I can't imagine the horrors you must have witnessed. I can't imagine the hardships you had to endure. I can't imagine the tiniest bit of it. All I can do is be thankful that the men of your generation were there to preserve your freedoms and hand them down to us. To say "Thank You" is pale and weak, but it's all I can do.
Mr Martin, you were an inspiration of mine and still are to this day, the things that you have been through is absolutely horrifying but never the less I thank you for your service.
Brilliant stuff. Also delighted to see mr Speranza doing great, had a pleasure to meet him a couple years ago at Normandy and buy his book "Nuts!" with an autograph.
Thanks so much for your service, Jim, my dad was in the 507th PIR of the 82nd at the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardenne. He was a tank killer. Purple Heart from 88mm fragments from a Tiger tank.
point de vue d'Américains , "gloire victoire", beaucoup sont mort , pour un pont , un village , un pré, mais aussi d'autre personne, tuée par des bombes Américaines..............ou Anglaises.....
My great grandpa Kent Osborne was in the 101st airborne screaming eagles, my grandpa said he got injured while in a jeep from either a landmine or artillery
It's up to us to remember these stories and passed them on and learn from them these Wars should never happen that's the best honour we can give those who went
It was hard keeping dry eyes. Though I was never a vet, I had a son who did a stitch with the armed services and I remember what was it was like reading his letters and emails. I am so proud of how our country is showing appreciation for these WWII heroes. I have to thank them for my freedom, cause many of them die for it.
I am a veteran who served with the 101st Abn in Vietnam. Not a better bunch of fellas I have ever met. My wife and I visited the cemetery and the beaches in October of 2015. It was a time I will never forget. Thank you Jim.
You Mr Martin. you are a hero in my eyes you and all of the others. men like you inspired me to become a screaming eagle some day. thank you for your service to our nation.
That must have been such an emotional experience for you. I've been there too. I live in Belgium now. I'm glad I'm able to do that because of you and the others who fought for freedom in Europe.
