David M. Martin Collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 000091

Abstract

The David M. Martin Collection comprises flight logs, flight manuals, photographs, periodicals, and artwork relating to the service of Cdr. David M. Martin, USNR during his service as a pilot in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

Dates

Creation: 1941 - 1952

Creator

Martin, David Moser, 1918-1990 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection in any form must be obtained from the National Museum of the Pacific War, Center for Pacific War Studies.

Biographical / Historical

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David Moser Martin (1918-1990) was a Commander in the United States Navy who served as a pilot in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Upon entering the Navy in 1941, Martin received flight training at Naval Air Station Jacksonville between 1941 and 1942 before being deployed to the Pacific in January 1943.

Once in the Pacific, Martin was assigned to the U.S.S. Shangri-La (CV-38), with which he recorded over 200 flights in a Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, many of them with Bombing Squadron 17, Task Force 58, between February 1943 and December 1944. Between late December 1944 and September 1945, Martin recorded over 100 flights in a Vought F4U Corsair as part of the "Sky Pirates" of Bombing Fighting Squadron 85. Post-war, Martin flew Grumman F8F Bearcats and McDonnell F2H Banshees back and forth from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and St. Louis, Missouri, between 1948 and 1952.

For his service in the Pacific, Martin was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Navy/USMC Commendation Medal, the Navy Presidential Unit Citation, and a Navy Unit Commendation.

Full Extent

.10 Linear Feet (10 Folders) : 2 oversized folders

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was donated by Frank Reilly and the Estate of Sam Martin in 2017 (2017.044)

Separated Materials

This collection contains 3D artifacts that have been separated. These artifacts include a shadow box, an air medal set, a selective service medal, two pilot wings, an ID badge, two dog tags, a picture locket, a pair of goggles, and a blood chit.