I have served 26 years in the United States Army, my final rank was SFC. My fascinaton with Gypsy Martin is a 20 year period.I have reread Proud Legions more times than I wish to count.What was the date of SFC Martins death and what was his exact unit.Everyone who did Ranger School knew of Gypsy Martin. Please if possible send me this information.
THANK YOU SFC ROBERT BOGACZ US ARMY RETIRED
Entry: 4953
LOOKING FOR ANYONE WHO KNEW GYPSY MARTIN
ANDREW BLAIR wrote on June 19, 2005
Comments:
Hello, my name is Andrew Blair
Obviously, I didn't know Gypsy Martin, but I know of him. I'm an English teacher in Korea. I may be able to do some footwork regarding Sgt. Martin. Have you read the book 'This Kind of War'? It has a brief excerpt on Sgt. Martin you may find interesting. Someone copied this part to the web. It is cited below:
'In Medic James Mount's company, there was a platoon sergeant named 'Gypsy' Martin. Martin carried a full canteen and bandoleer, but he also wore a bandanna and earring, and he had tiny bells on his boots. Gypsy Martin hated Chinese; he hated gooks, and he didn't care who knew it.
In anything but war, Martin was the kind of man who is useless.
In combat, as the 24th Division drove north, men could hear Gypsy yell his hatred, as they heard his M-1 bark death. When Gypsy yelled, his men went forward; he was worth a dozen rational, decent men in those bloody valleys. His men followed him, to the death.
When Gypsy Martin finally bought it, they found him lying among a dozen 'gooks,' his rifle empty, its stock broken. Other than in battle, Sergeant Martin was no good. To Jim Mount's knowledge, he got no medals, for medals depend more on who writes for them than what was done.
It made Jim Mount think.
The values composing civilization and the values required to protect it are normally at war. Civilization values sophistication, but in an armed force sophistication is a millstone.'
