Brigadier General Joseph G. Martin, Jr. began his military career on February 7, 1948, when he enlisted in Company G, 2nd Battalion, 156th Infantry, Louisiana Army National Guard at New Iberia.  He remained in that unit progressing from Private to Sergeant First Class, until his appointment as a Second Lieutenant, Rifle Platoon Leader on 13 January 1958, after completion of the Infantry Officer Candidate School, at the U.S. Army Infantry Training Center, Fort Benning, Georgia. | He was promoted to First Lieutenant on January 13, 1961.  While still a member of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 156th Infantry, he served as weapons platoon leader from April 1961 until April 1963. On May 1, 1963, he was reassigned to Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 156th Infantry, at Jeanerette, as the S3 Air and promoted to Captain on June 2, 1963.  He remained in this position until December 1963, when he was assigned Company Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 156th Infantry.  After three years command time, he was reassigned as Battalion S4 in December 1966, at Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 156th Infantry.  He remained in this position until December 1968, when he was assigned as S3 at Headquarters, 2nd Battalion, 156th Infantry, at Abbeville, and was promoted to Major on February 4, 1969. In September 1970, he was reassigned to Headquarters, 256th Infantry Brigade (Separate), in Lafayette and served as Assistant S3 until August 1971.  On September 1, 1971, he was appointed Executive Officer of the 2nd Battalion, 156th Infantry, Abbeville and subsequently assumed command of the Battalion on January 1, 1974, and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on March 5, 1974.  On August 1, 1976, he was transferred to the Louisiana Military Academy, at Camp Beauregard, Pineville, Louisiana, as the Superintendent and served in that capacity until his reassignment as Executive Officer, Headquarters, 256th Infantry Brigade on July 1, 1978.  On January 14, 1980, he was reassigned as Deputy Brigade Commander and promoted to the rank of Colonel on the same date.  On December 27, 1982, he was appointed Assistant Adjutant General (Army), Louisiana Army National Guard, Headquarters at Jackson Barracks, New Orleans, and subsequently promoted to Brigadier General on August 4, 1983.  He served in that position until his retirement from the Active National Guard and United States Armed Forces on January 11, 1987, w/ over 34 years of honorable service to his Country, State and Community. | His military education includes the completion of the Officer Candidate School, the Infantry Officer Basic Course and the Infantry Officer Advance Course, at the U.S. Army Infantry Training Center, Fort Benning, Georgia; Command and General Staff College, at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; and U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. | His awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, U.S. Army Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/2 Hour Glass Devices, Army Service Ribbon, Louisiana Cross of Merit, Louisiana Emergency Service Medal w/5 fleur-de-lis, Louisiana General Excellence Medal w/2 fleur-de-lis, and Louisiana Longevity Service Ribbon w/1 silver and 1 bronze fleur-de-lis. | Brigadier General Martin was nominated and inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame, U.S. Army Infantry Training Center, Fort Benning, Georgia in 1991. He was a member of the National Guard Association of the United States and the National Guard Association of Louisiana. During his long and honorable service, General Martin was well respected by his superiors, peers, subordinates and associates as a most professional soldier. He exemplified the Army Officer and was a caring leader.