New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Joseph Martin, a WW2 veteran and lifelong New Bedford resident is celebrating his 100th birthday! Born on August 15th, 1923 Joseph has lived through 100 years of ups, downs, and world events that most of us only can read about.
He fought in the “Battle of the Bulge” also known as the Ardennes Offensive, which was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II. The battle lasted for five weeks from December 16th 1944 to January 28th 1945 and was the largest and deadliest single battle fought by the United States in World War II and the third-deadliest in American history.
He also fought in Normandy, France during “Operation Neptune” better known as “D-Day”, which still is the largest seaborne invasion in history.
When I asked Joesph about his experience in these battles he was very humble seemingly brushing over these accolades as him “just doing what was needed of him”. Although you won’t find Mr. Martin bragging, his family is extremely proud, and the short time I spent speaking with him, everybody who walked by wanted to stop and say hello to the man himself.
Joseph Martin is one of the last members of “The greatest Generation” and it was quite the honor to sit and speak with him. His childhood took place during the great depression, and the year after he graduated high school he was sent over seas to fight in WW2.
100 years later and Mr. Martin can still be found putting smiles on faces playing patriotic songs on his harmonica.
