Bethany Soldier Killed in Philippines Blast

Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A Bethany soldier was one of two soldiers killed in an explosion in the Philippines Tuesday, according to the Department of Defense.

Defense officials said Staff Sgt. Jack M. Martin III, 26, of Bethany and Sgt. 1st Class Christopher D. Shaw, 37, of Markham, Illinois were killed from the detonation of an improvised-explosive device.

Officials said earlier this week the men were part of a military convoy carrying American troops that rolled over a bomb buried under the road.

U.S. Maj. Bradley Gordon said the soldiers were part of a task force deployed to help suppress militants in the southern Philippines.

The soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group in Fort Lewis, Washington.

Martin's father, Jack Martin Jr., says his son was in basic training when the 9-11 terror attacks occurred. Martin III eventually became a Green Beret.

"Both of his grandfathers served in the Army during World War II," Martin Jr. said. "My father was a medic in World War II. I think that influenced him. Jack wanted to serve his country.

"He was a very kind and loving person that was very intelligent with numbers."