"On 1 July 1940, the 79th Engineer Battalion was constituted and, after the outbreak of World War II, was activated on 10 December 1942 at Camp Phillips, Kansas." - Narrative of the 79th
"His (Andres Martinez) service time began Jan 14, 1943." - John Martinez
"The 79th Engineer Battalion was reorganized and designated the 79th Engineer Combat Battalion on 1 April 1943." - Narrative of the 79th
"Shortly thereafter, the Battalion was ordered to Tennessee, where it participated in maneuvers preparation for
overseas shipment." - Bobby Thompson
"The 79th participated in the New Guinea and Philippine campaigns, receiving Battalion Battle Honors at Milne Bay, Finschhaven, Hollandia, Leyte and Luzon." - Narrative of the 79th
New Guinea
On 17 January 1944, the 79th embarked form San Franisco enroute to Goodenough Island. The Battalion was assigned to the Sixth Army and ordered to Hollandria, New Guinea, where we arrived on 6 June, 1944. - Bobby Thompson
The 79th remained in Hollandria for six months, supporting the ground action of the Sixth Army, and later building roads and installations. - Bobby Thompson
"Sixth Army had once again split the Japanese forces in order to seize a coastal enclave that combat engineers quickly transformed from jungle overgrowth into two airfields that provided valuable support during MacArthur's invasion of Morotai in the Molucca chain. Japan's 35th Division found itself isolated in western New Guinea. For historical purposes, Sixth Army closed the Vogelkop operation on 31 August 1944, although the 6th Division remained there until it left for Luzon, Philippines, in January 1945." - Center for Military History; CMH Pub 72-9
"Dad said that their group had just landed on an island (not remembered) and they were well on shore and up a hill when they observed the next ship pulling in ready to unload, when it was blown up. His group went down to the shore, but found very few survivors." -John Martinez
NOTE: It's too bad that Andres can't remember more about that landing. Somehow in the midst of all the action he did something to merit being awarded, not one, not two, but three Bronze Stars !!!
All together Andres received:
The American Theater Campaign Medal
The Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
The Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 Bronze Star
"New Guinea was the story of the courage of the GI who could always be counted on to move forward against a determined foe. It was the ordinary American soldier who endured the worst deprivations that the debilitating New Guinea climate and terrain could offer."
Andres and buddies at bridge construction
"It was the lowly GI who was the brains, the muscle, the blood, and the heart and soul of the great army that came of age in the Southwest Pacific Area in 1943 and 1944. In one tough fight after another, he never lost a battle to the Japanese. Those accomplishments and sacrifices are forever his and deserve to be remembered by all." - Center for Military History; CMH Pub 72-9
