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Those Who Died That Others Might Be Free

 

Henry Martinez

 

Date and Place of Birth: 1917 Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands
Date and Place of Death: January 5, 1945 Pacific
Baseball Experience: Minor League
Position: Infield
Rank: Aviation Machinist's Mate Second Class
Military Unit: US Navy
Area Served: Pacific Theater of Operations

 

A strong, speedy young fellow with an effervescent nature and a tremendous yen for the game.

Oakland Tribune March 12, 1938

 

 

Martinez was an athletic sensation in high school. A star on the baseball team, he was also named All-Santa Clara Valley halfback in football two successive years, for three seasons he captained the basketball team, and for two years headed the track team.

 

As a track man, Martinez specialized in sprints and the broad jump, establishing a valley record in the latter of 21 feet 8 inches. This record was later beaten by his younger brother, Joe.

 

In the spring of 1934, Martinez entered USC to play football. Two weeks later he quit because the football coach would not allow him to play his first love - baseball.

 

Martinez returned to his Mount View home and took a job in a San Jose department store. He played semi-pro baseball in 1934 and 1935 with the San Jose Bees and the San Mateo Blues in the State League. He also played for the Mount Valley Native Sons.

 

His aggressive, all-out nature on the playing field attracted much attention and during the winter of 1935, the young infielder signed a professional contract with the Oakland Oaks. He attended their spring training camp in Modesto and was assigned to the Vancouver Maple Leafs of the Western International League where he divided his time between second base and shortstop.

 

Martinez was back at spring training with the Oaks in 1937. This time he was assigned to the Des Moines Demons of the Western League, where he led the circuit in stolen bases and triples.

 

In the spring of 1938, Martinez gained a spot on the Oaks' roster as a utility infielder, being described by the Oakland Tribune on March 12 as a "versatile chap of 22, who plays second base, shortstop and third with equal facility."

 

Henry Martinez made his home with his wife in Redwood City, California and played basketball in the city's industrial league during the winter months.

 

He served with the US Navy in the Pacific as an Aviation Machinist's Mate Second Class. On January 5, 1945, AMM2C Martinez was killed in action at sea. His body was never recovered and he is memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery at Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines.

 

Added August 23, 2006

 

Copyright © 2007 Gary Bedingfield (Baseball in Wartime). All Rights Reserved.