Airborne at 99: Normandy Vet Jumps Again

Last week, Round Canopy Parachute Team conducted Operation Black Cat. This was an event designed to honor Airborne troops of the past. Although many notable Veterans showed up, the show was stolen by Jim "Pee-Wee" Martin.Martin, 99, was a member of G Company / 506th PIR / 101st Airborne Division in WWII. He jumped into Normandy on June 6, 1944. As well as Operation Market Garden later that year. However, 76 years later, he is still hanging his knees in the breeze. The Airborne legend made the following statement on his Facebook:"Getting to ride in and jump from a "Huey" was an unexpected thrill. My son David served with the 101st ABD in Vietnam. I have a better understanding of some of what he saw and felt after riding in a Huey. A wonderful connection. This helicopter was restored and is maintained by The Friends of Army Aviation. My sincere thanks go out to them for allowing me to have this experience. Go to friendsofarmyaviation.org for more information and to lend your support. My thanks also go out to the members of the Round Canopy Parachute Team-USA (https://rcptusa.org) for their invitation to attend this event. Much more about the RCPT-USA is coming soon.

(Special thanks to my friend Kevin and my son Roger for arraging and accompanying me on this trip.)"

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Jim & Roger Martin after landing safely[/caption]

A family affair

One of Martin's sons, Roger, spent the week participating in the RCPT Basic Parachutists Course. This course, available to military and civilian alike, offers proper Army instruction on conducting static line jumps. The course is taught by around a dozen certified jump masters, some of whom still serve. After class room instruction, practical application, and a written test, students also conduct their own 5 static line jumps.

Martin made his first helicopter from a UH-1 Iroquois, nicknamed "Huey" at approximately 1500ft. Give him one: Airborne!