MARTIN RODERICK

LCD Roderick Martin was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 10/01/2022 at the age of 84.4 from Brief illness
Date of Birth 04/30/1938
Served in the U.S. Coast Guard
Served in Vietnam with 37 ARRS in 71-72
Call sign in Vietnam JOLLY GREEN
This information was provided by Obit

More detail on this person: Lt. Cmdr. Roderick (Rod) Martin III (U.S. Coast Guard, ret.), 84, passed away peacefully after a brief illness in Ocean Park, Washington. Rod was born April 30, 1938, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, to Roderick Martin Jr. and Sylvia (Rotunda) Martin. Rod graduated from Plymouth High School in New Hampshire in 1955, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in business from the University of New Hampshire in 1959. Rod entered military service as a second lieutenant with the Army (Armor Branch) in 1960 and later transitioned to aviation, flying helicopters in 1961. Rod left the Army as a captain in 1964, and transferred to the Coast Guard in 1965. A highly skilled and respected pilot, Rod distinguished himself by his expertise and professionalism. Stationed at Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans, Rod earned his first Air Medal flying rescue missions during Hurricane Betsy. Rod subsequently served at Coast Guard Air Station Annette Island, Alaska, San Diego and Astoria. In 1970, Rod volunteered for duty in Vietnam, and was one of only 11 Coast Guard pilots to fly as members of an exchange program with the Air Force. Stationed at Da Nang, and flying the HH-53C "Jolly Green Giant," Rod conducted combat search and rescue missions (SAR) from 1971 to 1972 with the famed 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. During this time he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and seven additional Air Medals. In 2003, Rod and the 10 other Coast Guard aviators who flew combat-SAR in Vietnam were inducted into the Coast Guard Aviation Hall of Honor. In combat and in peacetime, Rod and his aircrews saved lives - hundreds of lives. Rod retired from the Coast Guard in 1981 and resided in Astoria, where he spent his time fishing, reading, socializing and enjoying his beloved dogs, Wyatt and Elmer. Rod is survived by a daughter, Laura Martin. There will be a graveside service with full military honors at 1 p.m. Thursday, October 20, 2022 at Fort Stevens National Cemetery in Hammond, OR.

Burial information: Fort Stevens National Cemetery, Hammond, OR

This information was last updated 10/25/2022

Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters

Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list

Return to VHPA web site

Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024