By Robert Williams

Editor

orld War II Veteran Alwyn Martinson’s 100th birthday was celebrated at an open house at Vergas United Methodist Church Sunday, July 26.

Martinson is a Breckenridge native and current resident but he and his family moved to rural Vergas in the early 1960s. The family farmed, but Alwyn had other jobs including working at the Moorhead Creamery and managing the Vergas Liquor Store.

Martinson joined the Navy at 17-years-old in 1944 with permission from his father and soon found himself on the way to the Pacific theatre of World War II after boot camp in Farragut, Idaho and radio school at the University of Colorado for four months. Alwyn finished in the top 15 of his class of 124 radio men. He also earned enough education credits to complete his high school diploma.

His first stop as a radio dispatcher and signal man was in Seattle where he boarded a troop ship with stops in San Diego and Pearl Harbor, before joining 500 American ships at Guam. 

The U.S.S. Logan was destined for Iwo Jima and was assigned to the 23rd Marines of the 4th Marine Division. 

Martinson helped coordinate tanks and equipment, which was followed by landing crafts full of troops. Alwyn also made trips to and from the island delivering supplies.

Martinson remained at Iwo Jima until departure orders were received with 200 wounded soldiers in sick bay. The ship debarked the casualties at Guam and sailed back into battle now headed for Okinawa.

Alwyn survived some of the bloodiest fighting of the war on Iwo Jima and Okinawa and witnessed the iconic U.S. flag raising at Iwo Jima. He was commended for excellent service as a member of the landing boat group aboard the U.S.S. Logan in connection with the landing of the troops and cargo on Iwo Jima. Although at many times under enemy bombardment, by Martinson’s initiative, energy and devotion to duty, Alwyn contributed materially to the success of the operation.

Martinson returned to Minnesota in 1947 where he met and married his wife Marilyn. The couple remained married for 72 years and raised five children: Dennis, David, Donna, Mary Lou and Carol.

David lives in Wahpeton and plays organ at Vergas United Methodist. David and Alwyn travel nearly every weekend and remain current members of the church. 

In late July, Alwyn was joined by fellow United Methodist members, friends and family to celebrate becoming a centenarian, which actually occurred two days later on the 28th of July, his official birthday.

Friend of the family Bryan Giese brought a 1926 Chevrolet truck for photo opportunities during the celebration.