Captain William Leicester Martin III (U.S.N., Ret.), 79, of 56 Churchill Road, Ledyard, died on November 17, 2006 at L & M Hospital after a two-week illness.
Capt. Martin was born on December 19, 1926 in Alexandria, Virginia, the son of William Leicester Martin Jr. and Helen Blake Martin. He attended schools in Alexandria, VA and was graduated from George Washington High School. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland and was graduated on June 3, 1949. On that day, he married the former Shirley Anne Blair of Hartford, Connecticut, in Alexandria, Virginia.
His first assignment was the U.S.S. Damato (DDE871) of Destroyer Squadron Eight based in Norfolk, Virginia. He served as antisubmarine warfare officer and subsequently as assistant engineer. In June of 1951 he reported to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for duty under instruction in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Upon completion of that course he attended the U.S. Naval Submarine School in New London, CT. Capt. Martin served in U.S.S. Harder (SS568) of Submarine Squadron Ten first as supply officer and then as engineer. He qualified in submarines in 1956.
Upon being designated as an Engineering Duty Officer he reported to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and was ship superintendent for the early construction phases of U.S.S. Swordfish (SSN579) and U.S.S. Sea Dragon (SSN584). He then returned to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for instruction in Nuclear Engineering. After that duty, he served in a series of assignments at headquarters and in the field for the Bureau of Ships and the Atomic Energy Commission. He was especially proud of the many years he spent in Naval Reactors working for Admiral Hyman G. Rickover. These assignments included duty with advanced developments, the prototype plants, Naval Reactors offices in Quincy, Mass and Groton, CT and finally as head of reactor core production.
In 1969 he became project manager for the acquisition of the U.S.S. Knox (DE1052) class of escorts and served in that capacity for the next three years. Then in December 1972 he reported to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington as Production Officer. Capt. Martin became the Supervisor of Shipbuilding Conversion and Repair, U.S.N., Groton CT in September 1976. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 1980.
Bill's integrity and work ethic were legendary wherever he went. He spent his life in service to others and influenced many lives. He was devoted to his country, the U.S. Navy and his fellow men. His wife of 57 years survives.
Bill was a member of the U.S.Submarine Veterans' "Holland Club," the Retired Military Officers' Association and St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Groton CT.
A Memorial Service will be conducted at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Fort Hill Rd, Groton on Saturday, Dec. 2nd at 11am. The Rev. Mark Porizky, Pastor, will officiate. There are no visiting hours.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 310 Fort Hill Rd, Groton CT 06340..
To send a message note of remembrance/condolence to Mrs. Martin, please click the link below.