Martin James Hunter “”Pee Wee” “Jim”, born 29-04-1921, in Portage, Pennsylvania 
to the late James A. Martin and Beatrice L. Martin His family moved to Indiana when Jim was six months old, finally settling in Dayton, Ohio in 1931. Martin got the nickname “Pee-Wee” from his fellow paratroopers for being the lightest paratrooper in his division. He accepted the nickname as a badge of respect. After graduating from Kiser High School in 1939, 
Jim worked in the precision tool manufacturing industry and was employed by the Johnson Tool and Engineering Company. In 1941, when the United States became fully engaged in the Second World War, Jim refused a deferment from military draft because he felt “…it was unjustifiable for a young guy (such as me) with no family ties, not to join the Army.” Jim enlisted in the Army in June 1942. Jim trained and served in the 101st Airborne Division 
, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 
3rd Battalion/G Company from 1942-1945. Martin was among the last of what are known as the “Toccoa originals,” the men who joined the 101st back in 1942 at its formation. In July 1942 Jim was one of 6,500 men to arrive at Currahee Mountain, near Toccoa,
Georgia for training as a new type of soldier – a paratrooper. He was one of Colonel Robert Frederick Sink’s 
original “Toccoa Men” who were preparing to defend the free world from the German offensive that was World War II. Being the lightest man in the regiment he was given the nickname “Pee Wee” which he was proud of. In 1943 the 506th traveled to England by ship and Jim’s battalion was stationed in Ramsbury in Wiltshire where they completed their pre-invasion training. Jim participated in three pivotal battles of the war: Operation Overlord – the battle of Normandy, France (D-Day, 6/6/1944); Operation Market Garden, Holland (9/17/1944) and The Ardennes Offensive, Belgium (Battle of the Bulge, 12/16/1944). The 101st Airborne Division ended their war by occupying Adolph Hitler’s mountain home (Eagle’s Nest) in Berchtesgaden, Bavaria (May 1945).
Jim Martin parachuted into Normandy (landing near Saint-Côme-du-Mont 
behind Utah Beach) at 12:30 AM on June 6, 1944. “Pee Wee” Martin fought in the Normandy campaign for thirty-three days until the 101st Airborne was relieved and returned to England in July. On September 17-09-1944 the 101st Airborne Division jumped into Holland, near my hometown Eindhoven 
in the leading wave of “Operation Market Garden”. Read my story 
Jim Martin landed near the town of Son 
. G Company fought to secure “Hell’s Highway” during this ill fated operation. The 506th PIR was then sent to Mourmelon, France in November after more than sixty days of fighting in Holland. On 16-12-1944 Germany launched it’s last major offensive in the West, The Ardennes Offensivesoon to be known as the “Battle of the Bulge”. The 101st Airborne Division was trucked over 100 miles to the Belgian crossroads town of Bastogne. 3rd Battalion established defensive positions on the northern perimeter where they endured bitter cold and some of the most difficult fighting on the Western Front. After participating in operations in Germany early in 1945 the 101st Airborne Division ended their war by occupying in Berchtesgaden, Bavaria in April, 1945.
After the war Jim returned to the tool manufacturing industry. He married Donna V. Veverka, 
of Newton, Iowa in 1946. Shortly after, they purchased 52 acres of land in Sugarcreek Township, Greene County, Ohio where, with their own two hands, they built their dream home. Jim and Donna raised five children. After nearly 73 years of marriage Donna passed away in 2019. Over the years Jim helped keep history alive by attending many speaking engagements and traveling to events commemorating the war and celebrating freedom, such as the anniversaries of D-Day in Normandy, France and Market Garden in Holland. At the ages of 93 and 98, respectively, Jim recreated his jumps in those historic engagements of WWII. At the age of 99 Jim made his last jump in October of 2020 at an event sponsored by the Round Canopy Parachute Team USA in Palatka, Florida. 
Death and burial ground of Martin James Hunter “”Pee Wee” “Jim”.
Martin James Hunter “”PeeWee” “Jim” died 11-0-9-2022, age 101, in Xenia Ohio, United States and is buried at the Dayton National Cemetery in Montgomery County, Ohio. 4400 W Third St, Dayton, OH 45428 United States. 
While many would consider Martin and the 101st Airborne as heroes, he didn’t share this sentiment.
Jim was preceded in death by his loving wife Donna, sons David J. Martin and Donald L. Martin; and daughter Debra K. Martin. Jim is survived by daughter Linda S. Martin (Don) and son Roger J. Martin (Sharon): 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, and a host of friends.
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