An Ohio veteran who parachuted in the D-Day invasion of Normandy is celebrating his 101st birthday.Jim “Pee Wee” Martin enlisted in the Army in 1942 when he was 20 years 0ld soon after World War II started, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.When Martin joined the Army, he went to Camp Toccoa, Georgia, to train with the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. His friends gave him the nickname of "Pee Wee" there because of his small size compared to other soldiers.When he completed his training, Martin went to England to prepare for the Allied invasion of German-occupied France.Related video above: 'Please do your part': Ohio WWII veteran Jim Martin asks public to continue wearing masks in 2020He then joined the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France, in 1945, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Martin was discharged in September 1945 with the rank of private first class, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.On the 70th anniversary of D-Day, 93-year-old Martin parachuted into Normandy again. On his 100th birthday, Martin attended another parachuting event with other veterans of the 101st Airborne Division.This week, Martin celebrated his 101st birthday. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was in attendance at Martin's birthday celebrations over the weekend.
An Ohio veteran who parachuted in the D-Day invasion of Normandy is celebrating his 101st birthday.
Jim “Pee Wee” Martin enlisted in the Army in 1942 when he was 20 years 0ld soon after World War II started, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
When Martin joined the Army, he went to Camp Toccoa, Georgia, to train with the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. His friends gave him the nickname of "Pee Wee" there because of his small size compared to other soldiers.
When he completed his training, Martin went to England to prepare for the Allied invasion of German-occupied France.
Related video above: 'Please do your part': Ohio WWII veteran Jim Martin asks public to continue wearing masks in 2020
He then joined the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France, in 1945, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Martin was discharged in September 1945 with the rank of private first class, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
On the 70th anniversary of D-Day, 93-year-old Martin parachuted into Normandy again. On his 100th birthday, Martin attended another parachuting event with other veterans of the 101st Airborne Division.
This week, Martin celebrated his 101st birthday. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was in attendance at Martin's birthday celebrations over the weekend.
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