Marion Alum Who Served in Unit That Fired Final Shot of WWII Dies

A Marion High School alum who served in a unit that fired the final shot of World War II and liberated Gunskirchen-Lager, one of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler’s concentration camps. 

Laurence Lincoln (Larry) Martin, 90, of Marion, died at his home surrounded by his family on Sunday, after a brief battle with cancer, according to a his obituary.

The Marion Foundation & Alumni Association took a moment to remember Martin.

Marion Alum and the community has lost another of our greats. Laurence Martin, MHS '41 passed away this morning at the age of 90. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Here's more from his obituary from Murdoch Funeral Home:

Funeral services for Larry Martin will be held at 11:00 on Thursday, May 16, at First United Methodist Church in Marion with Pastor Keith Nester presiding. Visitation is 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday at Murdoch Funeral Home in Marion.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Marjory; children, Deborah Martin, Cynthia Martin, Laura Mattison, and Reed Martin (Christa) all of Marion; five grandchildren, Katherine Haderthauer (Jeff), Tyler Mattison, and Andrew Martin of Marion, Elise Schmidt (Steve) of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and Claire Mattison (William Spakowski III) of Chicago, and a great-granddaughter, Elin Haderthauer, of Marion. His parents and a brother, William Reed, preceded him in death.

Laurence was born February 12, 1923, in Kenwood, IA, to Laurence and Marian Reed Martin. He graduated from Marion High School in1941 and attended the University of Iowa before enlisting in the army. From 1943-1946, Laurence served in the 71st Division in France, Germany, and Austria, the unit which fired the final shot of WWII and liberated Gunskirchen-Lager, one of Hitler’s concentration camps. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant and was an active member of the 71st Division Association, serving as its president for two years.

Laurence and Marjory Ostrander were married in Marion on December 20, 1947, and he was employed in retail sales and real estate. As a member of the First United Methodist Church since 1948, Laurence served on the Official Board and taught Sunday School. Laurence also served on the Marion City Council for eight years in the 1960’s and 1970’s and on the Marion Library Board for four years.