Gregorio Martinez

Gregorio “George” Martinez of Taylor, TX, died Friday, July 14, 2017 at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Round Rock, TX. He was born on January 30, 1931 to Santos Martinez, Sr. and Cleofas Gonzalez Martinez and was raised in the farming community of Hutto, TX. He graduated from Hutto High School in 1952.

Soon after graduation, he was drafted into the armed forces and sent to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio for basic training. He was assigned to the U.S. Army and received orders to Camp Roberts in California for 16 weeks of infantry training and eight weeks of Leadership School.

George was sent to Inchon, Korea in August 1952. He was sent by small craft to the front lines just above the 38th parallel. Small boats took the troop as far as they could with no ports available, and the troop walked the remainder of the way.

George was assigned to the 15th Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division. He stayed on the front lines in a defensive mode. He and his troop were to hold the line at all costs all day and night.

The Armistice was signed July 1953 and George was sent to Tokyo for Rest and Recuperation (R and R). George and his troop were sent to Seoul Korea to march in a military parade where General Maxwell Taylor awarded George the Silver Star for heroism, the Bronze Star with V for Valor and the Combat Infantry Badge. The Korean Government awarded him the Korean Service Award with three battle stars.

George was released from active duty in 1953. He continued to serve in the National Guard and was re-activated into duty during the “Berlin Crisis.” He was discharged after a year and went to work for American Desk in Taylor.

George also worked as host of a radio show at KTAE in Taylor. He also worked at KMIL and KTXZ. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Taylor.

George is survived by sisters Aurora Martinez, Carolina Dominguez and Mary Matuke all of Taylor and brothers Hilario Martinez (Gloria) of Hutto and Santos Martinez, Jr. (Dolores) of Austin.

Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 P.M., Thursday, July 20, 2017 at Providence Funeral Home. Rosary will be recited at 7:00 P.M.

Funeral Service will be 1:00 P.M., Friday, July 21, 2017 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Taylor. Burial will follow at Santa Maria Latin Cemetery in Hutto.

The family would like to thank the staff at Bel Air Tera Vista Retirement Home and the doctors, staff and nurses at Baylor Scott & White Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.