PVT Martin R. Dean, US Army

March 18, 1930 - February 2, 1951

***Historians Note*** The research on Martin Dean is still on going and is not yet complete. If you have any info to contribute to this, please contact the Post Historian at history@legionpost178.org

Martin R Dean Jr, was born in March 18, 1930, to Martin & Marjorie Dean. Martin was one of 5 boys (the 5 boys being Martin, David, Daniel, Ernest & Tom) in the Dean family, and 3 of his brothers (the youngest Tom was medically disqualified from the service).

In talking with Martins youngest brother Tom, he told me that as they were growing up that Martin Sr. was a bit of "jack of all trades" when it came to work, though he mainly worked as a construction worker and a painter. Their mom, Marjorie did have an odd job or two on the side, but as Tom put it, "was too busy trying to keep all of us from getting into trouble."

Martin, along with fellow Korean War veterans Roger Bradley and Sid Byron and his brothers went to school in Millerton NY.

Either during High School, or shortly thereafter Martin for a brief time worked for the Village of Millerton. He also did work for Dick Valentine helping in digging graves in Irondale Cemetery.

On July 10, 1950 Martin entered the service, where after completing Basic Training at Fort Dix N.J. after which he was awarded the MOS 04745 "Light Weapons Infantryman". Following Basic Training he served with the 9th Infantry Division. Following he was assigned to the B Co., 5th Calvary Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, already in Korea, where he reported in mid January of 1951.

In June of 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, and the 1st Calvary Division, then based in Japan was ordered to the Korean peninsula. February of 1951, found Martin fighting with his Regiment against the North Koreans. Then on February 8, 1951 PVT Dean unit was engaged by the North Korean Army near the South Korean village of Polli-ni. During the engagement Pvt Dean was killed after being struck in the upper chest by small arms fire. Eventually, he was laid to rest in his hometown of Millerton NY, in Irondale Cemetery.