Captain (Promotable), United States Army
SPECIAL MISSION FORCE, STRATEGIC TECHNICAL DIRECTORATE ASSISTANCE TEAM-158
Captain-Promotable (Former) Al Martin is a native of Helena, AR. In 1969, upon graduation from Arkansas State University with a degree in Political Science and as a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, he was commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate into the Active Duty force as a Military Intelligence officer.
2LT Martin attended his MI Officer Basic Course and volunteered for Airborne and Special Forces training. As a Lieutenant, he served with the 6th and 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, NC. While there, he earned his Green Beret and completed US Army Ranger School and Vietnamese language school prior to his deployment to Vietnam.
In Vietnam, 1LT Martin served with Special Mission Force, Strategic Technical Directorate Assistance Team-158. SMF had a classified mission of POW, MIA, and Downed-Pilot Recovery. They also ran other non-classified company and platoon-size operations. SMF was composed of 124 indigenous mercenary Montagnards, 41 of which were in 1LT Martin’s platoon.
Upon redeploying to the states, 1LT Martin attended his MI Officer Advance Course and was promoted to Captain. He then attended flight school to receive a rotary and fixed-wing pilot rating at Fort Rucker, AL. His follow-on assignment was with the First Army Security Agency Aviation Company (CEFIRM LEADER) as the Operations Officer at Ft. Bliss, TX. The unit flew modified U-21 aircraft with Direction-Finding, Signal Intelligence, and Radio Signal Jamming capabilities.
CPT Martin was reassigned to the 25th Infantry Division, 3/4 Cavalry at Schofield Barracks, HI as a rotary-wing pilot. Following his tour in Hawaii, CPT Martin resigned his commission and began a 42-year career as a commercial real estate agent, in Honolulu, HI and Austin, TX, retiring in 2019.
His awards and decorations include the Special Forces tab with Green Beret, Ranger tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Aviator Wings, Senior Jump Wings and Jumpmaster Qualification, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal (numeral “2”), Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm (Unit), and National Defense Service Medal.
Al is a 100% Disabled American Veteran living with his wife, Joyce, in Austin, TX. They have three successful children. Al and Joyce now engage in Christian ministry and travel.
