Marty flew P-39's over Guadalcanal in the early days of World War II. After an encounter with the Japanese while on a patrol over the Islands, Marty made a forced crash landing that had him hospitalized for several months.

Marty was never to regain his medical because of permanent heart and lung damage, though outwardly he appeared to be mended. Marty put all of his energy in airplanes and airplane activities. He became an early EAA director, was co-founder of the Midwest Regional Air Show, built 2 airplanes (a Tailwind and the Morraine Saulnter), and was the force behind buying a 1948 Taylorcraft for EAA Chapter 15.

Many Chapter 15 members learned to fly in it. Marty would usually go along as a check out pilot - which gave him an excuse to fly.

Marty was a calm pilot and a good confidence builder. On one day, a fresh pilot named Andy Marinellie and Marty as co-pilot were taking off when the engine quit. Andy tried to defer to Marty's experience, but Marty popped back -- 'It's your airplane, you bring it in." Andy set it into a bean field... and after they paid ransom for a few bushels of lost beans, the farmer released the undamaged airplane.

Marty Married and raised 3 children with his wife Ruth; John, Lynn and Laurie.

All too soon, his war injuries overtook him and Marty passed away on March 10, 1971.