Private Andres Lopez Martinez of Abilene,
Texas 1943
Andres Martinez is now 80 years old. He fought with the 79th in World War II. His son, John Martinez, recently sent me his dad's old pictures. As soon as I saw them it was like the 79th's hero generation suddenly unfolded before my eyes.
Using Andres' pictures with excerpts from both the Narrative of the Battalion's History from 1940 - 1968 that John McConaghy contibuted to this website via Dr. Michael Broadhead from the OFFICE OF HISTORY of the U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS in Alexandria, Virginia, and Bobby Thompson's excellent history of the battalion from World War II through the Korean War, the next few pages will hopefully bring a whole new appreciation to the history of the 79th's hero generation for all of us.
Origin of the Unit Crest
"Our crest had its birth during the Second World War in the Philippine action. The crest is emblazoned with the Corps of Engineers colors, scarlet and white. The Philippine sun which shown down on heroic acts of the Battalion is represented in the center, with the inscription "Fait Accompli" (French for Mission Accomplished) scrolled beneath. The story of the accomplishments of the 79th Engineer Battalion is beheld within this shield. Let us look into the story and see what each of us represents when we walk under the crest of the 79th Engineer Battalion." - Excerpted from The Narrative of the Battalion's History
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered 17 OCTOBER 1944 TO 4 JULY 1945
"On 1 July 1940, the 79th Engineer Battalion was constituted and, after the outbreak of World War II, was activated on 10 December 1942 at Camp Phillips, Kansas." - Narrative of the 79th
"His (Andres Martinez) service time began Jan 14, 1943." - John Martinez
"The 79th Engineer Battalion was reorganized and designated the 79th Engineer Combat Battalion on 1 April 1943." - Narrative of the 79th
"Shortly thereafter, the Battalion was ordered to Tennessee, where it participated in maneuvers preparation for
overseas shipment." - Bobby Thompson
"The 79th participated in the New Guinea and Philippine campaigns, receiving Battalion Battle Honors at Milne Bay, Finschhaven, Hollandia, Leyte and Luzon." - Narrative of the 79th
New Guinea
On 17 January 1944, the 79th embarked form San Franisco enroute to Goodenough Island. The Battalion was assigned to the Sixth Army and ordered to Hollandria, New Guinea, where we arrived on 6 June, 1944. - Bobby Thompson
The 79th remained in Hollandria for six months, supporting the ground action of the Sixth Army, and later building roads and installations. - Bobby Thompson
"Sixth Army had once again split the Japanese forces in order to seize a coastal enclave that combat engineers quickly transformed from jungle overgrowth into two airfields that provided valuable support during MacArthur's invasion of Morotai in the Molucca chain. Japan's 35th Division found itself isolated in western New Guinea. For historical purposes, Sixth Army closed the Vogelkop operation on 31 August 1944, although the 6th Division remained there until it left for Luzon, Philippines, in January 1945." - Center for Military History; CMH Pub 72-9
"Dad said that their group had just landed on an island (not remembered) and they were well on shore and up a hill when they observed the next ship pulling in ready to unload, when it was blown up. His group went down to the shore, but found very few survivors." -John Martinez
NOTE: It's too bad that Andres can't remember more about that landing. Somehow in the midst of all the action he did something to merit being awarded, not one, not two, but three Bronze Stars !!!
All together Andres received:
The American Theater Campaign Medal
The Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
The Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 Bronze Star
The Victory Ribbon
Overseas Service bars
Good Conduct Medal
Andres with his buddies in New Guinea
"New Guinea was the story of the courage of the GI who could always be counted on to move forward against a determined foe. It was the ordinary American soldier who endured the worst deprivations that the debilitating New Guinea climate and terrain could offer."
Andres and buddies at bridge construction
"It was the lowly GI who was the brains, the muscle, the blood, and the heart and soul of the great army that came of age in the Southwest Pacific Area in 1943 and 1944. In one tough fight after another, he never lost a battle to the Japanese. Those accomplishments and sacrifices are forever his and deserve to be remembered by all." - Center for Military History; CMH Pub 72-9
"In January of 1945, the Battalion moved to Luzon in the Philippine Islands where we remained for one year, first giving suppport to the ground forces and later building Army installations." - Bobby Thompson
Andres on a train at Luzon
Andres with his buddies at Luzon
Andres Martinez with his Gas Mask in the Phillipines
"My Dad was also the barber for the outfit, does anyone remember him who is still alive?" - John Martinez
More pictures of Andres with his buddies at Luzon
"After completing our mission on Luzon we were ordered to Palu, Hawaii, and arrived there in April of 1946." - Bobby Thompson
"In October of the same year, a New Caledonia struck the Marianas, and the 79th was called upon to repair the damage incurred on New Caledonia." - Bobby Thompson
"In December, 1946 the Battalion again returned to Hawaii and remained there until deactivated on 4 June 1947." - Bobby Thompson
"Dad talks proudly of his service, but is not in the best of health now at the age of 80." - John Martinez
September 2004 Update
The following mini-stories are based upon an interview with Andres Martinez after his dismissal from a 3 week stay in the hospital in September 2004. He is now 82 years old and in poor health. He was frustrated that he could not remember more about his proud service years, fellow comrades and other brave men of the 79th. Since the interview, my Dad is back in the hospital in failing strength and spirit. For proud men who were active and have worked hard all their life, to be limited in their ability to tend to their own needs strikes deep at their perception of individual self-worth. - John Martinez
Memories of War by Andres Martinez
79th Engineers WWII Pacific Campaign 1943 - 1945
Within Dad's outfit there were many from New York State, having never left Texas, he was very interested in learning more about other areas. He also recalls other large groups from New Mexico and Texas in the 79th.
After training in Kansas, the 79th were boarded on a train and off to San Francisco for their Philippine deployment. The armada of ships were filled to the brim with willing soldiers. They slept on the deck on cots and for many just like Dad, this was their first time at sea and sea sickness was rampant. The convoy was large, he could see ships all around, no ships were lost until they reached their destination.
Upon their arrival, the transport ships shed the human cargo and they loaded onto the landing crafts. They took fire from the hills where the Japanese were still dug in even after air and sea bombardment. His company quickly got off the beach and began heading into the jungle were the 79th and others converged and formed two lines for the long hike to the higher ground. There were causalities from the landing; and, his first face-to-face encounter with the Japanese happened on the hike.
Snipers began picking off the troops as they moved to higher ground; the company stopped and took offensive action; but then the more horrifying action began. He clearly remembers that the attacks became Japanese soldiers with bayonets who randomly attacked our soldiers and then disappeared back to the jungle. Many of the attackers didn't make it as they were killed before or after an attack. Before falling victim himself to a bayonet attack to his right side, Andres was horrified to see a few U.S. troops beheaded by sword wielding enemy. Lucky for him, his attacker was killed during the attack and his injury was not life threatening. The severely injured were taken to one of the ships, while others were moved over to another island for recuperation. Andres doesn't remember how long he was laid up after his stitch-up work, but he was placed on light duty for close to a month. It was during this light duty assignment he was the battalion's barber at "Andres Tonsorial Parlor". Interesting that on his discharge papers, his Purple Heart medal is not listed.
On the initial island hike up to the erected tent base camp, Andres recalls seeing many dead Japanese tied to trees. When he asked how this all came about, not much was said. Dad's opinion was that due to the action and continuous fire, conditions were not favorable to take and manage prisoners. To the solider on the field, it was all about meeting the objective and staying alive.
Dad does not remember how many times his squad was under fire, but it was plenty. He was glad when he made Sergeant, it gave him the opportunity to wear a 45 side arm because while performing their duties, his M-1 was not always close by.
He recalls the use of helicopters to ferry men to stop attackers from their hill cave positions that hindered the 79th's work. During one such attack, he remembers taking cover beside a destroyed jeep. The Japanese were opportunists just waiting for the right time to attack; upon the completion of a bridge, the Japanese destroyed it. The 79th just rebuilt it and continued their island hoping mission and next assignment.
As for his squad of eight tasks, they laid down train tracks on many islands. He chuckles at the fact he never saw how the trains were unloaded off the ships or how they were placed on the rails they completed. His squad had bridge building as another primary task. Two members of his squad were killed in action performing these duties. It was their regular routine before working any task that would take more than a few hours to dig their foxholes first because attacks on the work of the 79th were a regular hazard. He knows that many Purple Hearts and folded flags were presented back home as a result of the campaign.
One Sunday while in the Philippines a group from the 79th decided to attend a Catholic Church for services, to their surprise the Japanese had destroyed the large and locally cherished church prior to their arrival.
He recalls some more details of the transport ship destroyed; there was talk of an order mess-up or a change in orders. The company that was unloaded in the bay was ordered to reload and ship out to another island. Upon their exit from the island the ship was blown-up, he doesn't recall any details as to what caused the tragedy, though he does recall having conversations with some of the doomed ship's men as they were initially unloading.
Getting local fruit was easy as a couple of cigarettes; the Philippinos were ready to get you sugar cane, coconuts, bananas and pineapples. At the base camp, bananas were hanging from the center of the tent after the day's work. There were usually 4 to 5 soldiers to each tent in addition to the biting insects, spiders and snakes. The military was still a segregated group, even the 79th. Blacks and Latinos though treated mostly as equals had their own tents. Because of the common Spanish language of the Philippinos and Latinos, they were a needed group within the 79th as interpreters.
Dad's squad did have a mascot, a black long tailed monkey was befriended by his squad. There was a picture once of Dad and their monkey, but it is hasn't been seen in a few years. When it was time for the 79th to move on to their 3rd island, the monkey was left with other remaining troops. The monkey would run up the trees for food and then would return to the squad.
He did have the opportunity to see MacArthur when his motorcade came by their position. His impression was that he was truly the General in-charge.
Three months after the surrender of the Japanese, it was once again on the troop transport ships. The 79th was excited that it was rumored they would stop at Pearl Harbor. Pearl was their stop, but it was only for supplies and they were not allowed to leave the ship.
To thank Andres for sharing these stories send John Martinez a short e-mail by clicking here:
Just wanted to let you know that my source for stories of WWII and the
79th, went silent early this morning. My Dad and family sincerely
appreciated your efforts of the website and encouraging words from you
and
others in the 79th. There were so many other conversations that were
wanted, but I will now have to wait awhile to have them again with him.
Thanks ...
John Martinez
On behalf of all the veterans of the 79th Engineer Battalion through the decades of it's existence, our heartfelt condolence goes out to the Martinez family. Everything that is currently known about the history of the battalion during World War II is because of Andres. Not only that, but it's such a great blessing to know he was a true hero in combat. Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts -- We Salute Him. May he rest in peace, and may the Martinez family be blessed.
Oh how proud we are and always be.we love and miss you dearly grandpa! Until we meet again. ..love always, Tori
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