WASHINGTON –
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced today that U.S. Navy Reserve Ensign Delbert L. Martin, 23, killed during World War II, was accounted for on June 18, 2025.
During World War II, Martin was assigned to Fighting Squadron 12, USS Randolph. On March 21, 1945, he was reported missing in action after his F6F-5 “Hellcat” failed to pull up from a dive and crashed in Galig-Tomil, Yap Islands, Federated States of Micronesia. Martin’s remains were not accounted for after the war and on March 22, 1946, the Navy issued a presumptive finding of death.
This is an initial release. The complete accounting of Martin's case will be published once the family receives their full briefing.
For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving their country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil or on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa, https://www.linkedin.com/company/dodpaa, https://www.instagram.com/dodpaa/, or https://x.com/dodpaa.