Tom Harkin: “I would like to take a moment to recognize the remarkable service of Robert Martin, who has spent his life overcoming…”

“I would like to take a moment to recognize the remarkable service of Robert Martin, who has spent his life overcoming racial barriers and giving back to his country through extraordinary military and public service. Born and raised in Dubuque, IA, Mr. Martin, in his youth and throughout his life, demonstrated an exceptional commitment to academics, athletics, and community service. He participated in Boy Scouts despite threats and backlash from fellow scouts' parents. He was also ultimately inducted into the Dubuque Senior High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He graduated from Iowa State University earning a degree in electrical engineering and obtained a pilot's license. Mr. Martin, while still in college, applied to join the U.S. Army Air Corps and was accepted after he was drafted into service. He began his military career in Fort Dodge, but was transferred to Tuskegee, AL, to train in the Army's Black pilot program, where he received the rank of commissioned second lieutenant and specialized in operating the AT-6 Texan and the P-40 War Hawk. He then, in 1944, became an active fighter pilot in Italy, conducting over 60 long-range combat missions as part of the 100th Fighter Squadron. His squadron defended B-17 Flying Fortresses from German assaults. On March 3, 1945, he was shot down by ground fire in Yugoslavia. He parachuted from his burning plane and successfully avoided German capture with the help of Yugoslavian partisans.…”