PVT Bernal Martinez

courtesy of Tom Brocher

PVT Bernal Martinez was born 3 Aug 1918 in Grants, New Mexico.  We think he was one of two sons of Ignacio Martinez. Bernal was working as a laborer in early 1940 and reported a 1939 income of $106. The family members apparently moved to Marin County, California after mid-1940.

Bernal was drafted in June 1943. Trained and sent to England, PVT Martinez was assigned to A Company 116th Infantry. He trained with that unit for the amphibious assault that would take place on 6 Jun 1944. He survived he participation in the first wave of that assault but was killed in action 2 days later on 8 Jun 1944.

PVT Martinez was repatriated in 1947. His body was returned aboard the USAT Robert Burns and re-interred in the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California.