My mother, Gladys Martin Heiser, lived in Washington, D.C. before and during World War Two. From her memoir concerning the attack on Pearl Harbor:
On one Sunday, while listening to the radio, we heard that Pearl Harbor had been attacked and we would be going to war. Needless to say, it had a very sobering effect. Our minds raced trying to figure out the many changes our lives would take. Our immediate concern was for the military and families stationed at Pearl Harbor. I had a brother on the USS Hornet, an aircraft carrier. We heard later that some of the aircraft were not in port, including the Hornet.
My mother’s brother, Carlisle Entzminger Martin, who was on the USS Hornet and the USS Iowa
The Hornet escaped the attack that morning, only to be sunk by Japanese planes later. My brother’s life was spared again and he was transferred to the USS Iowa where he remained until the end of the war.
Copyright © 2014 Nancy H. Vest All Rights Reserved
To any family or relative of Carlisle Martin,
My name is Mike Williamson, I collect military items and come from a line of citizen soldiers. My Dad is a D-Day Vet, my Son served Iraq/Afg. I retired as a MSG we all served in the Army and my Grandfather served WW1. I have a well kept certificate that belonged to Carlisle (awarded to him) on Nov 27 1943 while on the USS Iowa. I think they refer to these as Shellbacks or Neptunes Order. I believe their a Navy tradition for crossing the Equator. This document came along with some other items I found, and belongs to Carlisles family. So if any one would like it give me a call at 540-368-1442 or E-mail eastlakebuck@gmail.com and I’ll be glad to ship it to you.