Frederick Martin (general)

Frederick Martin (July 14, 1882 – June 4, 1954) was a United States Army Air Forces general best known for his command of the Alaskan Department during World War II.

Born in North Attleborough, Massachusetts, Martin graduated from West Point in 1905. Early in his career, he served in the infantry and later transitioned to aviation. He was a pioneer aviator and held pilot certificate number 89, granted by the Aero Club of America.

During World War I, Martin served in France, overseeing aircraft repair and maintenance. Between the wars, he held various command and staff positions within the Army Air Corps.

His most significant role came with the outbreak of World War II when he was appointed commander of the Alaskan Department in 1940. Recognizing the strategic importance of Alaska, he spearheaded the development of airfields and infrastructure essential for defending the territory and projecting American airpower against Japan. His efforts were crucial in countering the Japanese invasion of the Aleutian Islands in 1942. He oversaw the construction of vital airbases, including Ladd Field (now Fort Wainwright), which played a critical role in Lend-Lease aid to the Soviet Union.

Martin's leadership in Alaska earned him the Distinguished Service Medal. He retired from the Army Air Forces in 1946 with the rank of lieutenant general.

After retirement, he settled in California and remained active in aviation-related activities. He died in 1954 and is buried at West Point Cemetery. His contributions to the defense of Alaska and the early development of American airpower are widely recognized.