James C. Martin

Col. James C. Martin Jr. USAF (Ret.) died Monday, August 30, at 86. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he gave generously and selflessly of his time, spirit and charity to family, friends and country. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Betty; son, Clay of Decatur, GA; daughter, Penny Munschauer, granddaughters Lauren and Lindsay Munschauer and son-in-law Dr. Rick Munschauer of Buffalo, NY, and niece, Carol Greene and family of Gainesville, GA. A highly decorated career military officer and veteran of three wars, he received the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit and Bronze Stars among others. Born in Geneva, AL, he graduated from the niversity of Alabama where he was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. In World War II he was a pilot in the Army Air Corps serving in the European theatre from Normandy through VE Day. He distinguished himself in the Korean War flying 110 reconnaissance missions in the RF-80; as well as the Vietnam War where he flew 122 missions in the RF-4C over Vietnam and commanded the 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in Udom, Thailand. Later he was assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff as Chief, Politico-Military Division. His military career included assignments at the State Department, CIA, Army War College and Air War College faculty. He retired from active duty after thirty-one years of service, credited with over 250 missions in three wars. Following retirement from the military, he attended law school and practiced law in Montgomery, AL, for 15 years. He retired to Decatur, GA, in 1998 where he was active in the Silver Wings Fraternity and the Order of Daedalions. A memorial service will be held on Friday, Sept. 10, 2010 at 11 a.m. officiated by Dr. Thomas Pipkin at Clairmont Presbyterian Church before final interment at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.  A. S. Turner & Sons