Louis Brooks Martin

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on September 1, 2004:

Lewis Brooks Martin Born November 1928 - Died May 29, 2000 Lewis Brooks Martin was born in New Jersey on 26 November 1928 and was appointed to West Point from the 29th Congressional District. His West Point classmates recall: "Brooks, a native of nearby Monroe came to West Point via Virginia Military Institute. The popularity he has in Orange County spread through the entire Academy among the many friends he made through his outside activities. Yet, he always found time to drag exceedingly pro. Friendly, cheerful, loyal, God fearing, he blends these qualities in the right proportions to make him a fine officer and a gentleman." During his cadet days Brooks was on the Debate Council; the Ski Club; was a Sunday School Teacher; and on the Howitzer staff all four years serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Howitzer his last year; was on the Dialectic Society plebe year; with the Chess Club plebe and yearling years; with the Forum and the General Committee cow and first class years; and was a Cadet Sergeant his first class year. Upon graduation Brooks went in the Armored Corps and after completing the Basic Armored Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky served with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment from 1951 to 1952. Brooks' next assignment was with the Reconnaissance Company of the 45th Division and served through 1953 and was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy. Returning to stateside Brooks was appointed Company Commander with the 30th Tank Battalion at the Armored Center, Fort Knox, Kentucky where he served until 1954. In 1957 Brooks reported to Headquarters, the Armored Center, Fort Knox, Kentucky; served until 1958 and was awarded the Commendation Ribbon. In 1959 Brooks was appointed Assistant Military Attache in Germany and served as such until 1962. In 1963 Brooks attended the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and on completion was named Executive Officer of the Tank Battalion and Brigade S3 at the Armored Center, Fort Knox, Kentucky where he served until 1965. In late 1965 Brooks attended the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia and on completion received orders for Military Assistance Command, Vietnam serving there until 1966 and was decorated with the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and the Air Medal for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight. On return to stateside Brooks went to the Office Chief of Staff, US Army where he served until 1967. Next Brooks attended the Navy War College in 1968 and earned a Master of Science degree in International Relations from George Washington University at the same time. From 1968 to 1969 Brooks served as Battalion Commander with the 32nd Armored Division and as Deputy Commanding Officer of the 194th Brigade. His next assignment was to Headquarters, the Armored Center, Fort Knox, Kentucky once again as Commanding Officer of the 2nd Training Brigade where he served from 1972 to 1973 and was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. Next he went as Defense Attach?o Cambodia and served from 1974 to 1975 and was awarded a second Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. His next assignment was to Readiness Region 4; served from 1975 to 1977 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation. In 1977 Brooks was named Assistant Deputy Commander of the Armored Center, Fort Knox, Kentucky and then in 1978 became Director, Office, Army Financial Management. He then accepted his last military assignment as Assistant Deputy Commander where he served until he retired from the United States Army in 1980 as a Colonel. Brooks died on May 29, 2000. Brooks and his wife Mary made their home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Brooks was an Infantryman. For the Infantryman's Creed click Creed uf

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