Huron SD – In a heartfelt ceremony, many family members, friends and residents of Huron, SD gathered to honor fallen Army First Lieutenant Thomas Michael Martin by renaming the post office in his memory.
Distinguished guests included Huron Mayor Mark Robish and US Senator Mike Rounds.

Thomas Michael Martin was born October 10, 1980, in Huron, SD. In 1998, he enlisted in the United States Army as a Field Artilleryman. In 2001, Tom was accepted for admission to the United States Military Academy at West Point, and later graduated from Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Tom majored in Military Science. He was commissioned as an Armor Officer and completed the course at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Tom reported to the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Richardson, Alaska where he assumed responsibility as the Sniper Platoon Leader and deployed with the unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in September 2006.

First Lieutenant Thomas Michael Martin was killed in action on October 14, 2007, in Iraq. Tom was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart Medal posthumously. His previous awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Overseas Ribbon w/numeral 2, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

He was buried in the West Point National Cemetery and will forever be remembered as a little boy who became a man with undaunted determination, fiercely dedicated to his men, his mission, and his country.

“I would like to thank everyone here today to honor our son Tom,” stated Ed Martin, First Lieutenant Thomas Michael Martins father, who spoke at the event. Ed spoke of the many memories he has in the area including the Huron Medical Center where Tom took his first breath, the clinic where Tom got early check ups and shots and the St Martin’s church where Tom was baptized. “Tom began his life here, died in Iraq fighting for freedom that each of us enjoy every day. Our family is so proud that this beautiful historic facility in what Tom always felt was his hometown, will now be the First Lieutenant Michael Martin Post Office Building.”

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