Joseph Arche Martel
"Archie"
Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number 846022
September 8, 1924
in Saco, ME
Joseph Asthe Martel
Marie A. “Diana” (Vashon) Martel
Details unknown
American Thread Company
May 10, 1943
at Springfield, MA
September 20, 1944
from 3rd Provisional Marine Detachment
February 21, 1945
Wounded in action at Iwo Jima
February 23, 1945
Died of wounds
Bricktop Road, Willimantic, CT – home of parents, Joseph & Diana Martel
Service & Campaigns
Boot camp at Parris Island with Sixth Recruit Battalion. Promoted to PFC upon graduation and outposted to Guard Company, Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida in July 1943.
Duty at Jacksonville through April 1944; transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to join replacement draft for transit to Pacific theater. Assigned duty with Third Provisional Marine Detachment, Maui, summer of 1944.
Joined Baker Company, First Battalion, 24th Marines at Camp Maui on 30 September 1944.
Outfit: B/1/24th Marines
Rank: PFC
MOS: 746 (BARman)
Important Events:
February 21, 1945 – critically wounded in action (shrapnel in both legs, testicles, and lower back); result of stepping on a land mine. Evacuated to LST-931 for treatment.
February 23, 1945 – died of wounds aboard LST-931. Body sent ashore for burial.
Individual Decorations
Medal
Purple Heart
Campaign
Iwo Jima (Feb. 21, 1945)
Citation
Service Stories
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September 8, 1924 (Saco, ME) – February 23, 1945; 20 years old
Unmarried
Local address: Brick Top Road, Willimantic
Enlisted on May 10, 1943
Serial number 846022
4th Marine Division, 24th Marines, 1st Battalion, Company B
MOS: 746, Automatic Rifleman
Parents are Canadian-born father Joseph Martell (1900-?) and Diana Vachon Martell (1903-1971). Oldest of 5 children. Siblings are Diana – 2 years younger, Leo – 3 years younger, Maurice – 5 years younger, and Raymond – 11 years younger.
Martel was mortally wounded on February 21, 1945, while fighting on Iwo Jima. He died aboard LST 931 two days later. The sailors returned his body to Iwo Jima; Martel was buried in Row 2, Grave 60 of the Fourth Marine Division Cemetery. Awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Worked at American Thread Co. in Willimantic prior to the service.