James D. Martin

Life and career Martin was born in Tarrant, Alabama, the son of Richard Martin, a railroad engineer, and Mary Graham, a teacher. He attended Birmingham School of Law, earning his law degree. After earning his degree, he served in the United States Army during World War II, which during his service, he was trained in psychological warfare and interrogations at Camp Ritchie. Together with other Ritchie Boys, he arrived in Europe in December 1944, where he was assigned as an intelligence officer in George S. Patton's army of occupation, until his discharge in 1946. In 1964, Martin was elected to Congress from Alabama's 7th congressional district. Along with Jack Edwards, William L. Dickinson, Glenn Andrews, and John H. Buchanan Jr., Martin was one of five Republicans elected that year, the first Republicans elected to Congress in the state since the end of Reconstruction.

Martin served in the United States House of Representatives from 1965 to 1967.

In 2009, Martin was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor.

Death Martin died on October 30, 2017, at his home in Gadsden, Alabama, at the age of 99.