Vet’s Military Career Dedicated to Three Branches
Eastern New Mexico is home to many generations of veterans who served in conflicts around the world. Here is the story of one man who led a life of dedication and sacrifice for three branches of the military.
Felipe Martinez was born in Cuervo in 1936 and his family moved to Clovis when he was 10. When he was 17, Martinez joined the National Guard while still in high school. After graduation, Martinez said job prospects were limited and he had to find a way to help his mother since his father had passed; so in 1955 he joined the U.S. Army.
Martinezs mother told him, Son, you do whatever you think is right. Whatever I cant give you, I dont want to take from you.
In the Army, Martinez worked with intercontinental ballistic missiles in the 509th Field Artillery Battalion and also learned photography.
After transitioning out of the Army, Martinez came back to Clovis only to find a similar situation to the one he left.
So he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and went to radioman school in Norfolk, Virginia. After getting seasick on a destroyer, Chief Martinez was transferred to the USS De Moines (CA-134).
Martinez has several harrowing stories from serving aboard the cruiser, one being the time an explosion resulted in being trapped three decks below while they flooded compartments on the ship.
It felt terrible, he said. They told me I looked like a ghost when they finally opened the hatches. We were banging on it and trying to get out of there. My lips were blue and I was white as a sheet.
The cruiser was sent on missions all around the world: chasing Russian submarines, transporting women from a college in Lebanon to refuge, and going on shakedown cruises in Cuba.
We were the first ship to go to Yugoslavia, Martinez said. And we were walking down the street and this old lady came running and fell down to her knees and grabbed my hand and was kissing my hand. But for me, it was like I was seeing my mom.
In 1961, Martinez returned to Clovis and used the GI Bill at Eastern New Mexico University to become a special-education teacher. But he decided teaching wasnt for him, so he became a civil service employee at Cannon Air Force Base. While working at Cannon, Martinez also served in the U.S. Navy Reserve, National Guard and eventually U.S. Air Force Reserve.
Martinez was activated for Operation Desert Storm in 1990, where he worked as a civil engineer to maintain flight lines and transport supplies to troops. He retired from civil service in 1992 to serve the rest of his military career on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a master sergeant in 1996.
Martinez also served on the New Mexico Literary Council teaching English to Spanish-speaking workers, and did jail ministry for Sacred Heart Church for 15 years.
During his service Martinez married a girl from Portales, and now has five children, 11 grandchildren including several in the U.S. Armed Forces, and three great-grandchildren.
Hes someone that I look up to, said Martinezs son, Marc. Everything that he has done, and his accomplishments Im proud of him.
Martinez said that on Veterans Day he thinks back to the times he and other troops were put into danger and he lost those he was closest to.
Really, I think a lot about my friends that didnt come back this time of year my mind goes back to those times and thats what it means to me, he said.
Remembering them, honoring them. And you always wonder why you made it back and they didnt Its never out of your mind completely but you learn to live with those things so that you can keep on going.
Martinez said that although Veterans Day can be a painful time of year, he feels proud when he looks at the next generation of veterans.
I feel you know, there is still is some hope. I feel good when I talk to these young men. What makes it even better is I know they dont have to; they do it because they want to, Martinez said.
Multiple events are being held in the area over the next week to honor veterans, highlighted by a veterans parade on Saturday.
The American Legion Post 25 is hosting a breakfast at 7 a.m. Tuesday for anyone to attend.
Rebecca Martinez, the historian for the chapters American Legion Auxiliary Club, said they hope the event will encourage the public to Visit the vets and listen to them talk. Its about recognizing them.
Tags: Veterans News
