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Pfc. Martinez was 18 when he was assigned to I Company, 137th Infantry as a replacement rifleman. On September 16, 1944 near Nancy, Pfc. Martinez and his platoon encountered heavy fire but drove the enemy back to a woods. A German tank emerged and fired, blowing away Martinez’s left foot. What followed epitomizes the incredible life-long suffering of wounded soldiers who became POWs. Pfc. Martinez lay on the battlefield two days in indescribable pain until captured and hauled to a German POW camp, where his leg was partially amputated. He was released in a prisoner exchange, but he was not the same Augustine Martinez. For 73 years, he has suffered physically and mentally from his wounds and imprisonment, yet today he has a positive spirit and great pride in his service. He is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. He is 91 and lives in California.