CLEARFIELD – A fallen U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Martino, 19, of DuBois will be honored through this Friday in Clearfield County. Martino was killed in an explosion during a live-fire training exercise March 18 in Hawthorne, NV.
Martino served as a mortarman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in July of 2012. Martino’s awards included the National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, according to a press release from the U.S. Marine Corps.
Gov. Tom Corbett has ordered all United States and Pennsylvania flags at the Capital Complex and at commonwealth facilities in Clearfield County to be flown at half-staff Thursday until sundown, the day of Martino’s funeral services. All Pennsylvanians are invited to participate, said Veterans Director Betina Nicklas.
Nicklas said Martino’s body was returned to Pennsylvania yesterday. She said the Goble-Baronick Funeral Home is serving Martino’s family. She said a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church. Nicklas said friends will be received from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
“Our hearts and our prayers go out to his family and to all service members,” said Commissioner Chairperson Joan Robinson-McMillen. “It was such a tragic death for such a young man who I’ve only heard good things about. To join and to serve our country is something that should never be taken lightly.”
Commissioner Mark B. McCracken added: “When we saw the initial press release about the accident last week out in Nevada, we felt bad enough. Then, we found out a few hours later that it’s somebody from right here in Clearfield County. As Joan said, he was a very outstanding young man who was just beginning his life and his military career.”
Commissioner John A. Sobel said Ronald Reagan once said, “Most people go through life wondering if they make a difference in this world.” He said although Martino’s death came at a very young age, the commissioners felt he made a difference in Clearfield County.