Grants soldier injured by IED in Iraq

Caleb Martin trains in his Stryker in Iraq. [Courtesy Photo]

By Helen Davis
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — A Cibola County resident serving in Iraq was injured in a previously unmilitarized area late last week.

U.S. Army Sgt. Caleb Timothy Martin, 22, of Grants received serious injuries to his neck and less critical injuries when the U.S. Army Stryker vehicle carrying him and nine other troops struck a buried explosive device in an area north of Baghdad. The explosion overturned the armored vehicle and left four dead and six injured. Martin is with the Bravo 121st Infantry Division and deployed to Iraq in January from Hawaii.

Martin was pinned under the Stryker until rescue operations arrived. He under went surgery in an unidentified military hospital in Germany and will be flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington for further treatment and recuperation. Martin is scheduled to arrive at the center today.

“I am one grateful mother this morning,” Martin’s mother, Silvia Martin, said on Monday. Silvia Martin said she got a call on Friday saying her son had been injured in combat, but requested the military spokesman call back when her husband was due home. “I tortured myself for 45 minutes,” she said, explaining that she was afraid to hear what the spokesman had to say.

She told the Independent her son can wiggle his toes, a sign that the neck injury had not left him paralyzed. Martin suffered a fractured neck vertebra and lesser injuries to two other neck bones. “They had him sitting up today,” his mother said. Silvia Martin said that when she spoke to her son, “He sounded like that Stryker was still on him.” She added that the vehicle blew apart, and she is grateful that Martin did not lose any limbs and has no burns.

Martin enlisted in 2005 and planned a military career, his mother said. The Army awarded him the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in battle. Martin received a Soldier of the Quarter award in his first year of service.

It is not known at this time whether Martin will continue in the military after recuperation.

The U.S. Army will pay travel expenses for three family members to visit wounded soldiers in Walter Reed in cases where the doctor in charge recommends it. The Martin family has not heard yet if they will receive travel assistance. “I am going to Washington whether they fly us or not. It costs about $1,200,” she said.

Aaron Dean, president of the New Mexico American Legion Riders, said that Operation Wounded Warrior should be able to help cover the family’s travel expenses in the case they do not receive military aid. Operation Wounded Warrior is a Riders program to help injured soldiers and their families in whatever way is needed.

Donations to help the family with expenses connected with Martin’s injuries can be made to a special account set up by family friend Carla Gallegos. Wells Fargo is handling the account; donations may be made to “Caleb Martin” at the Grants branch.

Silvia Martin said she is grateful for all the support and prayers the community has already given her son and the family here at home.

Information: Walter Reed Army Medical Center patient information line: (202)782-6139.

Wells Fargo Bank: 201 N. First St., Grants; 287-9481.