My Testimony

by John J. Martinez

I tell this story, not to boast about my past but to tell people that God can work in their lives and protect them even before they know Him. God will use anyone to fulfill His will, whether or not that individual is faithful. In my case, I believe that’s how it happened. I don’t think I’m more righteous or perfect than thou, but I am fully convinced that God had His hand upon me way before I knew anything about Him.

Military life

In 1969 I was a nineteen-year-old high school drop out with a future leading nowhere. I was drafted into the United States Army. In the fifth week of training, I was to the point of giving up and facing the consequences of desertion. My drill instructor talked to me; my attitude changed, and three weeks later I graduated and began my AIT (Advance Individual Training).

Soon we were told we would be going to Viet Nam. I learned about all kinds of land mines and how to disarm them, survival training, POW camp, how to escape, and ways we could be tortured. I earned my marksman with the M14-, M16-, and M60-caliber machine guns.

In November 2, 1969, I was shipped to Viet Nam. My first encounter with the enemy was on my second air assault. It was kill or be killed. Then I realized I didn’t have any emotions. I thought about my physical and psychological training, a scary thought I could not understand was going through my head. I knew then that I had been trained for the worst. Within three months, I had participated in over 25 air assaults into hostile territory and was awarded my first Air Medal.

In April 1970 we received intelligence reports about a POW camp ready to do a break near the Viet Nam-Cambodia border. After a week of close surveillance, we received the message that 21 POW’s were ready to make the move and we were to assist their safe return in any way possible. Two days later, whatever was to happen, happened: The POWs were safe and we had accomplished the mission. I was awarded my second award — the Army Commendation Medal.

On Mother’s Day, 1970, we were told we had a secret mission and would be briefed at the chopper pit. My gut feeling told me we were invading Cambodia. I always took the first helicopter. This time I motioned my team to the first chopper as usual, then I suddenly hollered, “Let’s take the third one!”

Within minutes, we were in Cambodia territory and could see that it was a very hostile area. We saw the first chopper go down. The second one began to sweep the area while my chopper and another made the assault so the second chopper could drop the other troops.

During the 30-day stay in Cambodia, we were twice caught in a situation that we thought we were not going to make it. I know now that God had to be protecting me with His shield. My men said they could see the bullets going around me, but I was not hit. After that mission I received my third award, the Bronze Star with V device, and later the Service in Viet Nam Medal.

The remainder of my tour I spent working from small bases. Due to the type of operations and area we were in, I earned my Combat Infantry Badge, my second Air medal.

In November 1970 I was shipped back to the United States, stationed in Ft. Hood, Texas, and discharged in 1971. I joined the Texas National Guard, and we moved to Oklahoma City in 1977. In June of 1980, we were sent to Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas, to help with the Cuban refugees. Because of my experience in Viet Nam and the training I had just finished and because I was bilingual, I was chosen to work under the direction of the CIA unit from Washington DC.

By now I was 31 years old, doing things that only happen in movies. Opportunities for advancement were being presented, and it looked like my army career had just begun. I was promoted once again and continued to work with the CIA in helping with the Cuban crisis. I kept escalating, surrounded by high-ranking men of the United States Army, telling me how valuable I had become. I remember a major from Oklahoma saying they had created a monster in me, but at the time, that’s what the army needed.

Big change

In the summer of 1983, something drastic happened: I was introduced to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I had been searching for how to turn my life around when a Baptist friend began witnessing to me. I also knew some Christians who told me about the Sabbath. When they saw my interest in committing my life to Jesus and going to church, they mentioned the Oklahoma City Church of God on 18th Street.

After a long talk, I asked them to take me there, although they were not attending. The visit was good; I knew I had found the church I wanted to attend. My Christian friends started coming to church also, and by the grace of God, I accepted the Lord and the Church’s teachings.

I soon found that I wasn’t interested in further military service. As a new conscientious objector, I wanted out but didn’t know how to do it, since I had just reenlisted for three years and was up for promotion. So I prayed, “Lord, I want out and now.” Then I approached my first sergeant and explained why I wanted out. To my surprise, he accepted my resignation, with an offer to go back full time and become the battalion captain. With no regret, I turned it down, I knew I wanted to serve Jesus Christ, and I didn’t want anything to get in the way. I was put in inactive duty for three years and received my official discharge from the United Stated Army in 1986.

When I announced my conversion and plans to be baptized and attend church on Sabbath, everything broke loose. My wife turned against me for a while, and my parents and relatives didn’t talk to me for years. I thank God that within a few months, my wife was converted and baptized and joined me in that wonderful journey God has set before us. God was changing my life drastically.

Now I praise my heavenly Father for allowing me to serve Him these 26 years. I am proud that I had the chance to serve in the military, but nothing can be compare to the privilege of serving God.

John Martinez passed away in October 2009.