Charles Irving Martin

Charles Irving Martin (January 25, 1871 – May 8, 1953) was an American military officer and a lawyer.

Early life Charles Martin was born to William Martin and Mary Martin in Ogle County, Illinois in 1871.

Military career

Martin enlisted as a private in the First Kansas Infantry regiment on August 26, 1890. While he was enlisted, Martin attended and graduated from the Normal School at Fort Scott in 1892. The following year, in 1899, Martin was promoted to major and was transferred to the 20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry, serving in the Philippines during the Philippine–American War. In May 1918, Martin served as an observer with the British Army while the 35th Division was assigned to their reserve lines during the Spring Offensive of 1918. From July to September 1918, Martin and the 70th Brigade manned a quiet portion of the trenches, before participating in the Saint-Mihiel offensive, although not directly as the 35th Division did not see action until September 26, 1918.

Martin was relieved of command prior to the 70th Infantry Brigade's first action, and was replaced on September 21, 1918, by Colonel Kirby Walker, 139th Infantry Regiment. He was honorably discharged on December 1, 1918.

Inter-War period Martin was recommissioned in 1921 as the commanding officer of the 69th Infantry Brigade, Kansas National Guard. During this time, Martin continued to practice law and was admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court bar in 1923. In 1932, now a major general, Martin was given command of the 35th Division until his mandatory retirement at the age of 64 in 1935.

Personal life and death Charles Irving Martin married Lou Ida Ward on November 28, 1894. Together, they had one child, Lillia Mae Markley.

Prior to his retirement, Martin worked as the manager of the Veterans Administration facility in Wadsworth, Leavenworth County, Kansas, from 1927. He retired from this job in 1941.

Martin lived out the rest of his retirement in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he died on May 8, 1953. He is buried at the Leavenworth National Cemetery.