‘Wally’ Martin, Evanston POW and veterans advocate, dies at 86

• Reprints

Walter "Wally" Martin, in his Army days

Updated: March 3, 2012 8:38AM

World War II veteran Walter W. “Wally” Martin survived the Battle of the Bulge and endured months in a German prisoner-of-war camp, experiences that reinforced his sense of patriotism and devotion to veterans.

A 40-year resident of Evanston who served as commander of Evanston American Legion Post 42, Mr. Martin died peacefully Jan. 17 at a hospice near his retirement home in Spring Hill, Fla. He was 86.

Pfc. Martin entered the U.S. Army at age 19 and, like many others in the Army’s 106th Infantry Division, was captured in December 1944 at the outset of Germany’s last major offensive of World War II. Hundreds of GIs were transported in jammed and unheated freight cars to a prisoner camp in eastern Germany, unable to sit or lay down during the long journey.

They were freed by the Russian Red Army the following spring.

Returning to the United States, Mr. Martin worked as a police reporter in New York for United Press International’s newswire. He and his wife, Marguerite, moved to Evanston in 1957 when he accepted a transfer to UPI’s Chicago bureau as a sports writer; he was later promoted to sports editor. An avid golfer, Mr. Martin covered the U.S. Open and worked on his own game Sundays at the Evanston-Wilmette Community Golf Course.

As head of the American Legion post in Evanston, he helped organize visits to VA hospitals and the annual pancake breakfast.

“He was very much a flag-waver and a great patriot,” said Marguerite Martin, his wife of 63 years, who is known to most as Peggy. “We flew a flag from the day we brought our first house and we still have a flag.”

Though Mr. Martin did not speak of his experience as a POW, seeming to have blacked it all out, its toll on him became more apparent as he suffered from dementia in his later years and experienced nightmares related to post-traumatic stress.

“They sent all these kids out without proper clothing and proper ammunition. It was a very shattering experience for him. You don’t realize it at the time,” said his wife.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Martin is survived by a son, Chris, and daughter-in-law Diane; and a daughter, Laurie Wilson, and son-in law Jim, both retired Northbrook police officers. He has two grandchildren and a great grandson.

Services were private in Florida. Interment is planned for this spring at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Ex-POWs, 1120 Daleside Lane, New Port Richey, FL, 34655; or American Legion Post 42, P.O. Box 42, Evanston, 60204.