This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Barbara Gilmartin-Family
to remember
GILMARTIN, John L. (Gil), GM2.
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Haverhill
Last Address John was born and died in Haverhill, MA USA
Date of Passing Oct 28, 2008
Location of Interment Saint James Cemetery - Haverhill, Massachusetts
John L. Gilmartin passed away on October 28, 2008 at his home surrounded by his loving family after a lengthy illness. He spent 31 years employed by the State of Massachusetts at the Annisquam River Marine Fishers Station before retiring in 2007. John was a true nature lover who spent much of his free time tending his flower gardens with his wife, Sandra, and strolling around the woods of Crystal Lake admiring the wildlife near his home. The entire family took great pleasure in his vast knowledge of all things outdoors. All who knew him will sadly miss John.
While in Vietnam John served with River Assault Squadron 15 as a Gunnersmate onboard C-151-2 from August 1968 to June 1969. He then became a Naval Advisor to the South Vietnamese Navy during his second tour of duty. John was a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal w/V, Navy Achievement Medal w/V, two Purple Hearts and several other unit awards to include the Presidential Unit Citation.
Other Comments:
BATTLE STREAMER : VIET-NAM SERVICE
US Navy Viet-Nam : Seventeen Campaigns
John L. Gilmartin, GMG 2nd Class
Republic of Viet-Nam: 1968-1970
Served in Seven Campaigns, 8 through 14
From August 1968 to June 1969 Mobile Riverine Force/ RAS 15/ CCB151-2
From June 1969 to September 1970 Naval Advisor to Viet Riverine Force RAID73
Description Operation Game Warden, Task force 116, was an operation to deny Viet Cong access to the resources in the Mekong Delta which was conceived of in December 1965. U.S. naval forces, backed by Marine artillery on the ground, launching a rapid surprise attack on the dozens of small Viet Cong ports which were scattered around the Delta. Unprepared in the face of intense U.S. firepower, which included U.S. F-4 Phantoms dropping special illumination bombs which blinded the Viet Cong deck gunners, leaving to them being unable to accurately return fire on the attacking U.S. craft, the Viet Cong were incapable of mounting a stiff resistance. Much the Viet Cong fleet and its operators were destroyed.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
January / 1968
To Month/Year
December / 1969
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories While in Vietnam John served with River Assault Squadron 15 as a Gunnersmate onboard C-151-2 from August 1968 to June 1969. He then became a Naval Advisor to the South Vietnamese Navy during his second tour of duty. John was a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal w/V, Navy Achievement Medal w/V, two Purple Hearts and several other unit awards to include the Presidential Unit Citation.
