OBITURARYFLAGBENJAMIN 'BEN' HENRY MARTINDecember 1, 1921 - May 26, 2007IVA, SCMr. Benjamin 'Ben' Henry Martin, age 85, husband of Kathryn McAlister Martin of 260 McAdams Road, Iva, SC, died Saturday, May 26, 2007 at AnMed Health Medical Center.Born on December 1, 1921, in Walker-Mackemoyle Community, Garvin Township, Anderson, SC, he was the son of the late William Newton Martin Sr. and the late Allie Mae King Martin.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife Shirley Grey Pender and his son Benjamin Henry Martin Jr., his brothers, William 'Bill' Newton Martin, Jr., James 'Jimmy' Martin and his sister Virginia Mae Miles; 2 step granddaughters, Kathy and Elaine McAlister and 1 step great grandson, Samuel Moore Giordiano.Ben spent his entire adult life in the military service. He joined the United States Army on November 20, 1937 and retired from the Headquarters Staff, Department of the Army, Washington, DC on July 31, 1967, at the Pentagon.Mr. Martin was a member of Carswell Baptist Church, Iva, SC, A lifetime member of the Military Officers Association of America, Alexandria, VA and the Piedmont Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, Anderson, SC.He is survived by his wife, Kathryn McAlister Martin of the home; stepson, Ray McAlister and his wife Martha and step grandchildren, Christine and Matthew of Iva, SC; stepdaughter Ellen Moore, and her husband, Rev. Dr. Jack Moore, and step grand child Jessica of Charleston, SC; step grand child Joy and her husband Chad Ethredge and step great grand children Addie, Landon and Jackson of Charleston, SC; step grand child Julie and her husband Kevin Giordanio of Charleston, SC, and several nieces and nephews.Some of his major assignments during his military career were: Headquarters, 13th Field Artillery Brigade during WWII in Africa and Europe; 18th Signal Service Company, United Nations Command, Free Territory of Trieste, 1947-1948; Headquarters 24th Infantry Division, above the 38th parallel, during the Korean War; Headquarters Allied Forces Far East, Tokyo, Japan, during the Korean War; NATO's Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers Europe, Paris, France 1960-1962; Office of the Supreme Commander, US Military Assistance Command, Siagon, Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and two tours of duty at the Headquarters, Department of the Army Staff, the Pentagon, Washington, DC.Among his many Decorations and Awards are the Legion of Merit Medal awarded to him by the Secretary of the Army for his exemplary service and devotion to duty as a member of the Army Staff, The Pentagon, Washington, DC. The Bronze Star Medal, awarded to him by the Commanding General, 24th Infantry Division for his exemplary service during the Korean War. The Joint Service Commendation Medal awarded to him by the Supreme Commander, General William C. Westmoreland, December 17, 1965, at the Supreme Headquarters, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Siagon, for meritorious achievement as his Administrative Assistant during the Vietnam War. The Army Commendation Medal (2 awards) by the Secretary of the Army in January 1960, and on April 27, 1966, for meritorious achievement as a member of his Army Headquarters Staff. The French Croix de Guerre (Cross of War) awarded to him by General Charles De Gualle, President of the Republic of France, for his exemplary service and assistance to the Free French Armed Forces during WWII.The Funeral Service with Military Honors will be held on Monday, May 28, 2007 at 1:00 pm at the Forest Lawn Park Mausoleum chapel officiated by the Reverend Hudson White. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.The family will be at the residence.In lieu of flowers, please make donations to churches of your choice.A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visitingwww.mcdougaldfuneralhome.comTHE MCDOUGALD FUNERAL HOME is in charge of the arrangements.