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Battalion, Fifth
Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Republic of Vietnam on 11 September 1968. Assigned a mission to conduct a search and destroy operation near the village of My Binh, Quang Dia Loc District, Quang Nam Province, Captain Brandtner selected his defensive position and began deploying his platoons for their assigned night activities. As the First Platoon departed, en route to their night ambush site, they began receiving intense small arms, automatic weapons and rocket fire from a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. Simultaneously, the enemy, approximately the size of the two North Vietnamese Army companies, began an attack on the Command Group with 82-mm. mortars, intense automatic weapons fire and P40 rockets. Quickly analyzing the situation and immediately realizing the seriousness and the danger involved, Captain Brandtner disregarded his own personal safety and moved forward to an extremely exposed position in order that he could personally control the battle at hand. When the enemy began the first of a series of "human wave" sapper attacks against the company's position, he calmly and with outstanding presence of mind moved from position to position reorganizing, encouraging and rallying his outnumbered and dazed company into an inspired fighting unit which completely stopped the momentum of the enemy attack and forced them to withdraw. Realizing the enemy were regrouping for subsequent attacks, he calmly adjusted his supporting artillery fire to within 200 meters of his lines, again raising havoc and confusion within the enemy's ranks. When the North Vietnamese Army units began their second attack, the devastating fires of a well organized Marine Corps rifle company caught them off balance and inflicted heavy enemy casualties. Twice more, the determined enemy launched massive "human wave" assaults on the perimeter of Company D, but the steadfast efforts of the men of the company proved to be too much for the now overwhelmed and demoralized enemy. After more than two hours of persistent attempts to overrun the company, the enemy broke contact. Daylight revealed 67 North Vietnamese dead as mute testimony to the ferocious encounter that had taken place. The number of enemy dead and wounded evacuated could not be estimated. Company D suffered only one Marine killed and fourteen wounds serious enough to require evacuation. By his outstanding courage, superb leadership and unswerving devotion to duty, Captain Brandtner served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
885:(Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 3 September 1968, while conducting a reconnaissance in force near the village of Lan Phouc in Quang Nam Province, the lead platoon of Company D became pinned down by intense automatic weapons fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force. As he moved forward to assess the situation, Captain Brandtner was wounded by grenade launcher fire from an enemy soldier standing in a nearby trench. With complete disregard for his own safety, Captain Brandtner boldly exposed himself to the hostile fire and hurling a hand grenade, killed the North Vietnamese soldier. Suddenly, the Marines came under an intense North Vietnamese hand grenade attack, and when one of the lethal objects landed at Captain Brandtner's feet, he unhesitatingly seized the grenade and threw it back at the enemy. On two more occasions he completely disregarded his own safety to seize hand grenades which were thrown near his position and hurl them toward the hostile force. When another grenade landed in the midst of four nearby Marines, Captain Brandtner fearlessly rushed to their position, picked up the lethal object and hurled it away from his companions. Then, concerned only for the welfare of his fellow Marines, he knocked two of the men to the ground and quickly placed himself on top of them, thereby absorbing the fragments from the exploding grenade in his protective armor and preventing possible death or serious injury to his companions. Realizing the numerical superiority of the enemy, he consolidated his company's position and skillfully adjusted effective supporting arms fire which caused the hostile force to flee and enabled his Marines to overrun the objective. By his courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and selfless devotion to duty at the risk of his life, Captain Brandtner sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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The
President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Captain Martin L. Brandtner (MCSN: 0-80625), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as the Commanding Officer, Company D, First
884:
The
President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Martin L. Brandtner (MCSN: 0-80625), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Commanding Officer of Company D, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division
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478:(Rein), FMF, Atlantic, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on 27 September 1988. From December 1988 through February 1989, General Brandtner served as the Commanding General, 10th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, at Camp Lejeune.
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on 11 March 1991, and assumed duty as
Director for Operations, J-3, Joint Staff, Washington. He served in this capacity until his retirement on 1 June 1993.
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81:
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419:, where he served initially as the Executive Officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion. He subsequently was assigned as the Commanding Officer,
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on 11 May 1990, he was assigned duty as the Vice
Director for Operations, J-3 Joint Staff, on 3 July 1990. General Brandtner was promoted to
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404:, where he served as the G-3 Operations Officer until he returned to the United States in July 1977. While overseas, he was promoted to
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In August 1969, General
Brandtner returned to the United States and assumed duties as the Inspector-Instructor, 26th Rifle Company,
355:, the nation's second highest award for valor in combat. He is one of only two Marines to earn that distinction in the Vietnam War.
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and
Battalion Executive Officer. While serving as Commanding Officer, Company D, he was wounded in action and was twice awarded the
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to the Under
Secretary of Defense for Policy, where he served until July 1984. During this tour, he was promoted to
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Graduating with distinction from the Air War
College in July 1981, General Brandtner was selected to be the Senior
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on 1 June 1988 and advanced to brigadier general on 25 July 1988, and assigned duty as the
Commanding General,
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in April 1965, he assumed additional duties as Area Defense Coordinator for the Wing Headquarters compound at
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He died on 3 January 2017, at the age of 78, in Reno, Nevada. On 18 January 2017, he was interred at
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in July 1982. Returning to the FMF, General Brandtner was assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff,
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462:, FMF. While serving in this capacity, he was selected in December 1987 for promotion to
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In July 1968, General Brandtner returned to the Republic of Vietnam, where he joined the
450:, where he served until May 1985. The following month, Brandtner assumed command of the
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272:, in March 1961, General Brandtner remained at Quantico where he was assigned to the
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336:, where he served as Branch Head of the Basic Amphibious Training Branch.
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from 6 June 1985 to 14 May 1986. In July 1986, he was assigned duty as
362:, Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he served until selected to attend the
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at the University of Minnesota, where he earned varsity letters on the
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to Alex Peter and Ida Marie (nÊe Kjelstad) Brandtner. He majored in
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From July 1977 to June 1980, General Brandtner was assigned to the
466:. He was assigned duty as the Assistant Division Commander,
343:
serving as a rifle company commander, and upon promotion to
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Returning from overseas in April 1966, he reported to the
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Regular Scholarship Program following graduation from the
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teams. Upon his graduation in 1960, he was commissioned a
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In February 1965, General Brandtner was assigned to the
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United States Marine Corps personnel of the Vietnam War
205:(3 July 1938 â 3 January 2017) was a highly decorated
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Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
212:. He was one of just two Marines to be awarded two
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942:List of Navy Cross recipients for the Vietnam War
370:, in 1972. He graduated with honors and earned a
1266:Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal
423:, where he served until selected to attend the
1221:Elliott School of International Affairs alumni
364:Naval War College of Command and General Staff
8:
1256:Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)
913:. He also sat on the Board of Directors for
396:Again assigned overseas, he reported to the
909:and served as Development Director for the
1162:
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922:Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery
497:Brandtner's personal decorations include:
82:Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery
31:
20:
1062:"Lieutenant General Martin L. Brandtner"
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717:
1088:"1st MARINE DIVISION AND ITS REGIMENTS"
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334:Landing Force Training Command, Pacific
287:, in February 1962, he served with the
1129:"Valor awards for Martin L. Brandtner"
1013:"Lt Gen Martin L. Brandtner Ret. USMC"
978:"Martin Louis Brandtner, 03 Jul 1938"
857:Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit citation
250:Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps
228:Brandtner was born on 3 July 1938 in
7:
1231:United States Marine Corps generals
1216:Military personnel from Minneapolis
864:Vietnam Civil Actions unit citation
743:Defense Distinguished Service Medal
385:General Brandtner then reported to
183:Defense Distinguished Service Medal
961:from websites or documents of the
840:Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
806:Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
360:United States Marine Corps Reserve
14:
1261:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
317:, serving as the S-1/Adjutant of
157:10th Marine Expeditionary Brigade
982:Minnesota Birth Index, 1935-2002
957: This article incorporates
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778:Navy Presidential Unit Citation
347:in November 1968, as Battalion
154:2nd Force Service Support Group
1226:University of Minnesota alumni
911:Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno
813:National Defense Service Medal
748:Defense Superior Service Medal
476:2d Force Service Support Group
421:1st Recruit Training Battalion
187:Defense Superior Service Medal
146:1st Recruit Training Battalion
1:
905:General Brandtner retired to
1184:June 6, 1985 â May 14, 1986
1068:. United States Marine Corps
472:Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
380:George Washington University
295:, battalion staff officer,
16:American military personnel
1282:
1178:Commanding Officer of the
963:United States Marine Corps
915:Bishop Manogue High School
890:Second Navy Cross citation
448:Camp Pendleton, California
413:Marine Corps Recruit Depot
341:1st Battalion, 5th Marines
289:1st Battalion, 4th Marines
264:Following graduation from
207:United States Marine Corps
113:United States Marine Corps
1186:
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879:First Navy Cross citation
444:I Marine Amphibious Force
387:Headquarters Marine Corps
274:Officer Candidates School
30:
1246:Naval War College alumni
311:1st Marine Aircraft Wing
224:Early life and education
93:United States of America
850:Vietnam Gallantry Cross
376:International Relations
293:rifle platoon commander
254:University of Minnesota
1241:Air War College alumni
1019:. Reno Gazette-Journal
959:public domain material
898:
887:
871:Vietnam Campaign Medal
809:w/ three bronze stars
796:Navy Unit Commendation
230:Minneapolis, Minnesota
203:Martin Louis Brandtner
53:Minneapolis, Minnesota
893:
882:
836:and two bronze stars
820:Vietnam Service Medal
417:San Diego, California
368:Newport, Rhode Island
119:Years of service
930:full military honors
901:Post-military career
773:Combat Action Ribbon
1180:5th Marine Regiment
460:1st Marine Division
452:5th Marine Regiment
398:3rd Marine Division
323:Republic of Vietnam
321:. Deploying to the
260:Marine Corps career
150:5th Marine Regiment
1104:on 27 October 2020
487:lieutenant general
468:2d Marine Division
432:Military Assistant
406:lieutenant colonel
349:Operations Officer
302:and rifle company
281:1st Marine Brigade
279:Reassigned to the
270:Quantico, Virginia
210:lieutenant general
136:Lieutenant General
1194:
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1187:Succeeded by
1166:Military offices
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470:, FMF, Atlantic,
464:brigadier general
300:executive officer
246:second lieutenant
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1189:Thomas V. Draude
1171:Preceded by
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1133:. Retrieved
1106:. Retrieved
1099:the original
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1070:. Retrieved
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1021:. Retrieved
1016:
986:. Retrieved
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907:Reno, Nevada
904:
894:
883:
768:Purple Heart
496:
481:Advanced to
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214:Navy Crosses
202:
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195:Purple Heart
165:
162:Battles/wars
70:Reno, Nevada
65:(2017-01-03)
18:
1211:2017 deaths
1206:1938 births
1154:Appearances
738:" Gold star
218:Vietnam War
216:during the
167:Vietnam War
50:3 July 1938
1200:Categories
1135:11 January
1108:11 January
1072:11 January
1023:11 January
1017:Legacy.com
988:6 February
948:References
758:Combat "V"
725:Navy Cross
353:Navy Cross
178:Navy Cross
89:Allegiance
46:1938-07-03
382:in 1973.
304:commander
242:wrestling
122:1960â1993
936:See also
867:w/ Palm
860:w/ Palm
248:via the
238:football
142:Commands
99:Service/
928:, with
829:⁄
823:w/ one
786:⁄
733:⁄
436:colonel
234:English
1158:C-SPAN
846:Row-4
802:Row-3
764:Row-2
721:Row-1
174:Awards
110:
101:branch
77:Buried
72:, U.S.
55:, U.S.
1102:(PDF)
1091:(PDF)
924:, in
727:with
378:from
345:major
291:as a
1137:2017
1110:2019
1074:2017
1025:2017
990:2018
240:and
127:Rank
60:Died
40:Born
1156:on
780:w/
756:w/
440:G-4
400:on
374:in
285:FMF
180:(2)
1202::
1118:^
1093:.
1064:.
1033:^
1015:.
998:^
980:.
965:.
932:.
917:.
831:16
788:16
735:16
458:,
446:,
442:,
415:,
389:,
366:,
329:.
313:,
283:,
268:,
220:.
1139:.
1112:.
1076:.
1027:.
992:.
827:3
784:3
731:5
48:)
44:(
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