Fernando Martinez

PSG Fernando Martinez, US Army RET, born November 11, 1929, passed peacefully on August 23, 2017 at the age of 87. Fernando was born in Crystal City, Texas. The family moved to San Antonio later, where he went to Lanier High School. After high school graduation, he enlisted in the U. S. Army. He was sent to Korea in July, 1950 when the Korean War first started. He was in the 24th Infantry Division, which was the first unit in Korea when the war started. He was in Korea for 14 months and was awarded the Silver Star and The Bronze Star in Korea. On August 19, 1950 the San Antonio Evening News Paper had written an article stating "Third highest Army decoration, the Silver Star, has been awarded in Korea to a San Antonio Private. Pvt, Fernando Martinez was also given it for leading a small group of men in, knocking out two enemy road blocks with carbines and hand grenades and leading a larger group of men to safety when they got separated from their organization during a withdrawal. A total of 40 decorations were announced by the, Far East Command in Tokyo". He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1952. He came back to San Antonio and worked odd jobs. In 1960, after having a beer at the Esquire Bar downtown, he reenlisted in the U. S. Army. In 1962 he was sent to Florida for the Cuban Missile Crisis. He retired from the army in 1977. He came back to San Antonio in 1981. He enjoyed betting on NFL Football and going to Retama Park.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Pasqual and Julia Martinez; brother, Robert Martinez; sisters, Mary Franco, Cheva Luna, Margie Lopez ; step-daughter, Margaret Noal.

Fernando is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Gloria Martinez, his children, Danny Martinez (Rosemary), Gloria Bush; step-son, Jimmy Devlin (Jennifer), his grandchildren, Justin Bush, Daniel Martinez, Brooke Bush, Cole Devlin; great-grandchild, Haven Bush; sister, Emma Jimenez (Luis), numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 31, 2017, from 5:00PM-9:00PM with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00PM at the Schertz Funeral Home Chapel. The Funeral Mass will be on Friday, September 1, 2017 at 9:30AM at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church with interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with Military Honors.

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