Cover photo for Sgt. Major Herbert Peter Martello Jr's Obituary
Sgt. Major Herbert Peter Martello Jr Profile Photo
1937 Sgt. 2020

Sgt. Major Herbert Peter Martello Jr

September 26, 1937 — January 12, 2020

Obituary of Sergeant Major Herbert Peter “Marty” Martello Jr. (USMC Retired)
Sergeant Major Herbert Peter “Marty” Martello Jr. was born on September 26, 1937 in New Orleans, LA. In 1953, when he was 16 years of age, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Marty was a Marine through and through. Highlights from Marty’s military career include:
1959-1961. Served with the Military Assistance Advisory Group, U.S. Naval Mission, Port-Au-Prince, Haiti.
1961-1964. Drill Instructor - MCRD Parris Island, SC.
1965-1966. Reported to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. In February 1966, he was part of the Battalion that was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam seeing combat action in the DMZ (demilitarized zone), Duc Pho and Que Son Valley.
1967. Reported for duty with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines and deployed aboard ship for two different Mediterranean Deployments.
1970. Returned to Vietnam (Da Nang area) serving with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines. Commissioned as a Captain; after this tour, he eventually forfeited the commission in order to pursue his dream to obtain the rank of Sergeant Major.
1971. Reported to Camp Pendleton, CA just as the 1st Marine Division was returning home to Camp Pendleton, CA.
1973. While serving as First Sergeant Company K, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, he was selected to attend Class 3 United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA). This was the first interservice class for the Army’s six-month Senior Non-Commissioned Officer course of instruction located at Fort Bliss, TX.
1974. Upon graduation from USASMA, reported to Okinawa, Japan and served as First Sergeant Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines. Marty was then selected for Sergeant Major and reassigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Marines.
1975. Assigned duties as Sergeant Major, Marine Corps Detachment, Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth, KS.
1978-1980. Served as Sergeant Major, Marine Barracks, Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. While serving in the Philippines, Marty completed his studies and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from University of La Verne.
1980-1981. Assigned duties as Sergeant Major, 4th Marine Division, New Orleans, LA. This was Marty’s final tour of duty; retiring in March 1981.
Marty’s Military Service Decorations include:
• The Purple Heart
• Navy Commendation Medal (with Combat “V”)
• Combat Action Ribbon
• Presidential Unit Citation (with Bronze Star)
• Meritorious Unit Commendation
• Good Conduct Medal (9 Awards)
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
• National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Star)
• Vietnam Service Medal (with 5 Stars)
• Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
• Vietnam Honor Medal First Class
• Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation
• Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (with Palm)
• Vietnam Campaign Medal (with 1960)
Marty served his Community and was active in numerous Veterans Organizations.
Marty was a loving husband, father, grandfather and loyal friend. Marty passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, January 12, 2020, at the age of 82, after a heroic battle with cancer. He is (and always will be) the beloved husband of 33 years of Vickie Chavers Martello. He is (and always will be) the loving father of Donna Martello Kuretich (Troy), Jason Roberts (Candace), Jeremy Roberts, and Jenine Roberts Hamberger (Jeff). He is the devoted grandfather (paw-paw) of Heather Jiles, Laura Jiles Engdahl, Tyler Jiles, Rachel Jiles, Victoria Roberts, James Roberts, Shane Martello, James Martello, J’Lyn Martello-Hamberger, Gabriella Roberts, Isobella Roberts, Lilly Roberts and Ashlyn Roberts. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
Marty leaves this life a loved and important man; a man of steadfast conviction; a man generous of heart; a man of integrity and honor. Few men have had more eventful experiences than Marty; he was an exemplary Marine and Sergeant Major. Marty’s life was defined by many noble acts of love for his wife and family.
A “Words of Remembrance” service will be held Saturday, January 18, 2020 from 1-3 PM at Mothe Funeral Home 2100 Westbank Expwy. Harvey, LA 70058. Family and friends will gather after the service to toast “OORAH” to our beloved Sergeant Major Marty.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sgt. Major Herbert Peter Martello Jr, please visit our flower store.

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Saturday, January 18, 2020

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