CSM (Ret) Dayton L. Martin was born in Conway, South Carolina and served in the U.S. Army from January 1972 until February 2000.

His military education included the Basic Leadership Course, Infantry Mortar Platoon Course (IMPOC), Drill Sergeant School, NBC Enlisted Course, Human Resources Management Course, School of Cadet Command, and Safety Office Course. He was on the Commandant’s List at both the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course and the Advance Noncommissioned Officer Course. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 42.

His assignments included duties as Mortar Crewman and Squad Leader, F Trp, 2d Sqdn, 2d ACR, Germany; Squad Leader, Fire Direction Chief and Platoon Sergeant, CSC, 2d Bn 34th Infantry, 24th Infantry Division, Ft Stewart, GA; Drill Sergeant, C Co 7th BN, 1st Infantry Training Brigade, Ft Benning, GA; Platoon Sergeant and BN Operations Sergeant, HHC, 1st BN 48th Infantry, 3d Armored Division, Germany; Platoon Sergeant and BN Operations Sergeant, HHC 4th BN 6th Infantry, 5th Infantry Division (Mech), Ft Polk, LA; First Sergeant, A Co, 4th BN 6th Infantry, 5th Infantry Division (MECH), Ft Polk, LA; Principal Drill Instructor and Operations and Training NCO, Providence College, 1st Region ROTC, Ft Bragg, NC; First Sergeant, E Co, 4th BN 36th Infantry, Infantry Training Center, Ft Benning, GA; First Sergeant, B Co, 2d BN 18th Infantry, 24th Infantry Division (MECH), Ft Benning, GA; Chief Enlisted Advisor to 28th Infantry Division, National Guard, Harrisburg, PA, HQ First U.S. Army, Ft Meade, MD; Battalion Command Sergeant Major, 3d BN 7th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 3d Infantry Division (MECH), Ft Stewart, GA. CSM (Ret) Martin’s final assignment was the 1st Brigade Command Sergeant Major, 3D Infantry, Division (MECH), Ft Stewart, GA.

Among his numerous awards and decorations are The Legion of Merit, six Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, and the Expert Infantry Badge.

CSM (Ret) Martin is married to the former Pamela Pearson. They have three daughters, Chrissy, age twenty-nine, Diane, age twenty, Catherine, age eleven, two sons, Joseph, age nine, and Miles, age seven.