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Contact Info
Home Town Savannah
Last Address Coronado, California
Date of Passing Dec 23, 2014
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
Following his Navy retirement Admiral Martin accepted a position with the Zerox Coporation as Director of European Business Development. After two years in that position Admiral Martin returned to Coronado, California and worked in the private investment sector. He served on a number of corporate, educational, and civic boards. He was also a frequent guest lecturer, media commentator and military news analyst. Admiral Martin retired and lived the good life, along with his wife the former Sharon Handly.
Profile Sponsors Note: 27 Jan 2015:
It is with regrets today that I learned of Admiral Martin s passing on 12-23-2014 in San Diego. I will always recall foldly my contacts with the Admiral. He was a fine gentleman indeed.
Hand...........SALUTE!
AW1 Carl Mottern USN-RET
Other Comments:
Profile Sponsors Note:
It has been my extreem pleasure to research material for this profile of Vice Admiral Edward Martin. I first came in roundabout contact with Admiral Martin in the Spring of 1977, when he was CO of the Oiler USS CANISTEO (AO-99). After my HS-15 helo dropped mail to CANISTEO, Captain Martin had 10 gallons of ice cream sent up the hoist in mail bags. He then radioed my helicopter that the treat was "For ROTORHEADS ONLY, AND I MEAN ROTORHEADS!". His deep Georgia drawll was unmistakable. The ice cream gift may seem like a small gesture, but put in perspective it was a rare and much appreciated token of his appreciation from a receiving ship, sent from this decorated fellow Naval Aviator, to us less glamorous helo types. We got back to AMERICA, called all our workshops and had everyone who wished show up in the ready room with a cup and spoon for an ice cream snack and a brief break. I never forgot that nice gesture.
The next day when AMERICA pulled alongside CANISTEO for refueling an announcement was made that this was THE first time two former POW's had Captained the two ships in a refueling operation. AMERICAs' CO at the time was the much respected Captain R. "Byron" Fuller, a POW from July 67 to March 73, having been captured only a few days after Captain Martin. Both of course went on to serve as Admirals, with Admiral Martin becoming Commander of the 6th Fleet.
Years later a writing project about Admiral Fuller for the USS AMERICA Carrier Veterans Association led me to contact Admiral Martin for his recollections on Admiral Fuller. He could not have been more pleased to help, and contributed accurate info on thier much interwined and parallell careers. It was true pleasure to speak to both of these fine gentlemen. They are in my opinion both great Americans, under who'm I was proud to have served.
Please enjoy this profile on Vice Admiral Martin. If you may spot any mistakes or have better information for correction or photo contributions, please by all means feel free to contact me. I am particularly interested in Admiral Martins service with VA-34 while on INTREPID prior to his shoot down and capture, and any memories from his time as CO of both CANISTEO and SARATOGA.
Regards,
AW1 Carl Mottern USNR-RET
The White Buffalo
Re-designated Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR (VA-34) on 7 August 1948 Re-designated Attack Squadron THIRTY FIVE (VA-35) on 15 February 1950
Second VA-34
Established as Fighter Squadron TWENTY (VF-20) on 15 October 1943 Re-designated Fighter Squadron Nine A (VF-9A) on 15 November 1946 Re-designated Fighter Squadron NINTY ONE (VF-91) on 12 August 1948 Re-designated Fighter Squadron THIRTY FOUR (VF-34) on 15 February 1950
Re-designated Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR (VA-34) on 1 July 1955 Disestablished on 1 June 1969
Third VA-34
Established as Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR (VA-34) on 1 January 1970
VA-34 adopted the insignia and Blue Blasters nickname used by the previous VA-34 squadron (the second VA-34). Colors for the insignia are as follows: blue diamond background outlined in black, red stylized wings outlined in blue and white, black and white machine gun in the shape of a cigarette, with a yellow ammunition belt and red bullets, white skull and skeleton with black markings and outline, red teeth, and red markings on the paddles (eyes).
·January 1, 1970:
Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR (VA-34) Blue Blasters re-established at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.
·April 1970:
VA-34 was assigned the Grumman A-6A Intruder.
·September 14, 1970 to March 1, 1971:
Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6A/B Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 3 embarked in United States Ship John F. Kennedy CVA-67 on a Caribbean/Mediterranean/NorLant cruise.
·September 14, 1970:
VA-34 boarded the United States Ship Kennedy CVA 67 for its Operational Readiness Inspection prior to its scheduled November deployment to the Mediterranean. While sailing to the Caribbean, the Kennedy and VA-34 were ordered to deploy to the Mediterranean after Syria invaded Jordan.
·December 1, 1971 to October 6, 1972:
Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6A/B/C Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship John F. Kennedy CVA-67 on a Mediterranean/NorLant cruise.
·September 1972:
A VA-34 A-6 Intruder conducted cross-decking operations on HMS Ark Royal while operating in the Norwegian Sea.
·April 16, 1973 to December 1, 1973:
Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6A/B/C Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship John F. Kennedy CVA-67 on a Mediterranean/NorLant cruise.
·October through November 1973:
During the Yon Kippur War VA-34 and United States Ship Kennedy departed the Norwegian Sea and reentered the Mediterranean, conducting surveillance operations south of Crete.
·June 28, 1975 to January 27, 1976:
Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship John F. Kennedy CVA-67 on a Mediterranean cruise.
·September 2, 1976 to November 9, 1976:
Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship John F. Kennedy CVA-67 on a NorLant cruise.
·January 15, 1977 to August 1, 1977:
Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship John F. Kennedy CVA-67 on a Mediterranean cruise.
·June 29, 1978 to February 8, 1979:
Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship John F. Kennedy CVA-67 on a Mediterranean cruise.
·August 4, 1980 to March 28, 1981:
Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship John F. Kennedy CVA-67 on a Mediterranean cruise.
·August 23, 1982 to October 30, 1982:
Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship America CV-66 on a NorLant/Mediterranean/Caribbean cruise.
·September through October 1982:
During the deployment to the North Atlantic, United States Ship America CV 66, was diverted to the Mediterranean due to the continuing crisis in Lebanon.
·December 8, 1982 to June 2, 1983:
Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship America CV-66 on a Mediterranean/IO cruise.
·January and May 1983:
While in the Eastern Mediterranean VA-34 conducted air operations from United States Ship America in support of the multinational peace-keeping forces in Beirut, Lebanon.
·April 24, 1984 to November 14, 1984:
Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship America CV-66 on a Caribbean/Mediterranean/IO cruise.
·August 24, 1985 to November 9, 1985:
Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship America CV-66 on a NorLant cruise.
·March 10, 1986 to September 10, 1986:
Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship America CV-66 on a Mediterranean cruise.
·March 24, 1986:
Libyan missiles were fired at United States Navy forces operating in the Gulf of Sidra. As a result retaliatory strikes were initiated against Libya by the American naval forces. VA-34's A-6E Intruders, operating from United States Ship America, attacked and damaged a Libyan Combattante II G-class fast attack missile craft with a Harpoon missile. A follow-up attack by VA-85 aircraft with Rockeye bombs resulted in the sinking of the Combattante II. The Harpoon firing was the first use of this missile in combat and the squadron's first combat action since its re-establishment in 1970.
·April 14, 1986:
Due to continued Libyan sponsorship of terrorist activity the United States initiated Operation Eldorado Canyon. VA-34 participated in this operation with its A-6Es, conducting a night, low level high speed attack against terrorists targets at the Benina airfield and military barracks in Banghazi, Libya.
·February 29, 1988 to August 29, 1988:
Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 7 embarked in United States Ship Eisenhower CVN-69 on a Mediterranean cruise.
·March 8, 1990 to September 12, 1990:
Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 7 embarked in United States Ship Eisenhower CVN-69 on a Mediterranean/Red Sea cruise.
·August 1990:
The squadron flew missions in support of Operation Desert Shield, the build up of American and Allied forces to counter a threatened invasion of Saudi Arabia by Iraq and as part of an economic blockade of Iraq to force its withdrawal from Kuwait.
·September 1990:
The squadron returned to Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.
·September 1991 to April 2, 1992:
The Blue Blasters deployed to Southwest Asia. The squadron participated in North Star.
·May to November 1994:
The Blue Blasters' deployed in United States Ship GEORGE WASHINGTON CVN 73 for her maiden cruise. In June, the Blasters performed a "missing man" formation over Omaha Beach to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of D-Day.
·1994 and 1995:
The Blue Blasters were awarded the Commander, Naval Air Force, United States Atlantic Fleet Battle "E" for 1994 and 1995.
·1995:
VA-34 operated over Bosnia and Southern Iraq. Operational sorties were flown in both theaters enforcing United Nations mandates. Missions included Close Air Support over the former Yugoslavia, working closely with multi-national Forward Air Controllers and UN forces on the ground, and strike familiarization missions to targets below the 32nd parallel in Iraq.
·January to September 1996:
The Blue Blasters had their last deployment flying the venerable A-6E Intruder aboard United States Ship George Washington CVN 73. VA-34 flew in support of Operation DECISIVE ENDEAVOR over Bosnia Herzegovina and Operation SOUTHERN WATCH over Iraq
