Martin, John Bernard II
Navy Lieutenant

John Bernard Martin II from Upper Montclair, New Jersey.

Date of death: Tuesday, October 5, 1970
Death details: Lieutenant John Bernard Martin II, who joined the U.S. Navy from New Jersey, served with Fighter Squadron 191 aboard the USS Oriskany (CVA 34). On October 5, 1970, piloting a single-seat F-8 Crusader (bureau number 15-0289), LT Martin was returning to the Oriskany following a night combat air patrol mission. He was waved off on his first approach because the aircraft was too low and lacked proper airspeed. On his second approach, LT Martin dropped his Crusader onto the ship too fast and crashed into the ramp. The aircraft continued down the ramp, slid off the side of the ship, and dropped into the water. Lieutenant Martin sank with the aircraft, and attempts to recover his body were unsuccessful. Today, Lieutenant Martin is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual’s case to be in the analytical category of Non-recoverable.