Sgt. Reece Martin and his parents Stefan and Diane Martin hold the Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star Medal presented posthumously to Staff Sgt. Lawrence Martin, who died in combat in France on June 16, 1944, during World War II. Lawrence Martin is the great uncle of Reece Martin, who researched his relative’s service to apply for the missing awards, which were presented May 16, 2025, at Fort Bliss, Texas. (JaDarius Duncan/U.S. Army)

Sgt. Reece Martin had known for most of his life that his great uncle fought on the beaches of France during the D-Day invasion of June 1944 and died about a week later in battle.

But there was little else available on Staff Sgt. Lawrence Martin’s Army service from those few living family members who knew him or from the Army. Like many veterans with records that predate 1973, Lawrence Martin’s paper files were burned in a massive fire at a records facility in St. Louis.

“It was we don’t know how he died, we don’t know what unit he was in. We don’t know any of the circumstances,” Martin, 24, said. “It was a mystery. I didn’t want to accept that. It shouldn’t be a mystery.”

Over four years, Martin uncovered remaining bits of information about his relative that were scattered among unit museums, his family members, historians, independent researchers and in the few documents that remained in government archives. He learned his great uncle had stepped up as the senior noncommissioned officer remaining in his company after storming the beaches of Normandy, France, in June 1944, and then led soldiers further into battle until he himself was killed in combat.

“Honestly, I envy his dedication,” said Sgt. Myles Fimbres, a friend and fellow soldier who supported Martin during the yearslong effort. “Everyone has fears of being forgotten over time, but Reece’s efforts to ensure his great uncle is not forgotten is something I hope my future descendants would do for me.”

Sgt. Reece Martin salutes the 48-star flag his relatives received in 1944 following the death of his great uncle Staff Sgt. Lawrence Martin during World War II during a ceremony May 16, 2025, at Fort Bliss, Texas. Reece Martin researched his great uncle’s service and learned he was owed a Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantry Badge, which were both presented during the ceremony. (JaDarius Duncan/U.S. Army)

Sgt. Reece Martin speaks during a ceremony May 16, 2025, at Fort Bliss, Texas, to posthumously present a Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantry Badge to his great uncle Staff Sgt. Lawrence Martin, who died in combat in France on June 16, 1944. Martin was instrumental in attaining the missing medals for his relative. (JaDarius Duncan/U.S. Army)

Brig. Gen. Christopher Samulski, assistant division commander of the 29th Infantry Division, presents Sgt. Reece Martin and his father Stefan Martin with a Bronze Star Medal for their relative, Staff Sgt. Lawrence Martin, who died in combat in France on June 16, 1944, during a ceremony May 16, 2025, at Fort Bliss, Texas. (JaDarius Duncan/U.S. Army)

Martin also learned his family never received two of the service medals owed Lawrence Martin and got them approved through Army Human Resources Command.

The Army on Friday presented the Martin family with Lawrence Martin’s Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star Medal at a ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, where Martin is assigned to the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade of the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command. The ceremony occurred on the 84th anniversary of Lawrence Martin’s enlistment, and one day after what would have been his 106th birthday.

His family had previously been awarded a Purple Heart Medal and World War II Victory Medal.

“I felt it was important to help people remember those sacrifices were made,” Martin said.

Lt. Col. Peter A. Lawall, deputy commander of the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, said it is clear that Lawrence Martin’s legacy is passed on to his great nephew.

“Sgt. Reece Martin embodies the same steadfast commitment and quiet professionalism that defined his great uncle, and we are proud to have him serving in our formation,” he said. “His commitment strengthens our team, and his dedication exemplifies the enduring strength of our Army values passed from one generation to the next.”

Staff Sgt. Lawrence Martin died June 16, 1944, while fighting in France during World War II. (Photo provided by Sgt. Reece Martin)

Drafted May 16, 1941, Lawrence Martin of Ambridge, Pa., became an infantryman with 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division, part of the Virginia National Guard. Two years later, the Army sent him to England.

By the time he shipped out on the SS Empire Javelin, an infantry landing ship, for the D-Day invasion June 6, 1944, he had earned the rank of staff sergeant and held the role of platoon sergeant within D Company.

The company commander likely died in a blast as the unit came ashore Omaha Beach at around 8 a.m. His death was soon followed by the company’s first sergeant. In total, five officers and more than 200 enlisted men from D Company died that day — about half the company, Martin said.

“In addition to the confusion and losses, the machine guns, mortars and ammunition from D Company were lost underwater,” he said.

Lawrence Martin stepped up into a leadership role to rally the surviving members of the company as they pushed forward through the French countryside, Martin said.

Lt. Gen. Omar N. Bradley, serving as commander of the First Army, would later recognize the 116th Infantry Regiment with a citation for outstanding heroism under the most adverse conditions on D-Day, according to a July 24, 1944, edition of Stars and Stripes.

“With grim determination and suffering terrible casualties, the regiment forced its way forward in a frontal assault on principal enemy strongpoints. They engaged the enemy, and in a magnificent display of courage and will to win destroyed them. Individually and collectively, members of the regiment turned a threatening situation into a glorious victory for the American Army,” according to the citation.

Ten days after the invasion, Lawrence Martin died fighting near St. Andre-de-l’Epine, where the men were met with a barrage of artillery fire. He was shot in the head with artillery and taken to a local hospital where he died, Martin said.

The staff sergeant was 25 years old, unmarried and had no children.

He was buried June 27, 1944, at La Cambe, and his personal items were sent home to his family, including a rosary and crucifix, worn family photographs and a mortar firing table. His remains were disinterred in 1948 and now rest in the Normandy American Cemetery in France.

After learning about his great uncle’s leadership in combat, Martin said he views his own role in the Army in higher regard.

“I have more value in the meaning of what it means to lead,” he said. “Leadership is having the ability to hold a torch in the darkness and for people to have a mutual trust and respect and care to believe in you enough to follow you.”

In the right moment, he said, anyone can step up to be a leader in their own way.

A photo of Staff Sgt. Lawrence Martin, his military awards and other memorabilia of his service sit on a table during a ceremony to posthumously present him with a Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantry Badge on May 16, 2025, at Fort Bliss, Texas. Martin died June 16, 1944, while fighting in France during World War II. (JaDarius Duncan/U.S. Army)