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BORN
1938
DIED
2017
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Martin Brandtner Obituary
July 3, 1938
January 3, 2017
Lieutenant General Martin L. Brandtner, USMC (Ret.), age 78, passed away peacefully at his home in Reno, NV on January 3, 2017.
General Brandtner is survived by his wife, Sandra, four children: Christine Russell, Martin Brandtner, Jr., Mark Brandtner, and Cynthia Brandtner Martin. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Ashley Russell, Nicole Russell, Jacob Martin, Dominic Martin, Mary Martin, Gianna Martin, and Elizabeth Martin.
General Brandtner was born on July 3, 1938 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended the University of Minnesota and earned varsity letters on the football and wrestling teams. Upon his graduation in 1960 with a degree in English, he entered military service with the United States Marine Corps via the NROTC Regular Scholarship Program. General Brandtner is a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he served two tours with distinction to include the awarding of several combat medals, including the Navy Cross, Legion of Merit with Combat "V", Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon and various other personal and unit awards. He was one of only two men who earned two Navy Crosses during the Vietnam War. In 1973, he graduated with honors from the Naval War College and was awarded a Master's Degree in International Relations from George Washington University. In addition, he was a distinguished graduate at the Air War College in 1981. He retired in 1993 as a United States Marine Corps Lieutenant General and his final billet was Director of Operations, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
After 35-years of service to our Country, General Brandtner settled in Reno, NV and took a position as the Development Director for the Diocese of Reno. In addition, he served on the Board of Directors for Bishop Manogue Catholic High School. He went on to become the Executive Director of the Scholz Family Foundation and helped oversee the funding of numerous Catholic causes. He was honored to also be installed as a Knight of Malta.
A viewing will be held January 17th, from 4:00-6:00 PM, followed by a Recitation of the Holy Rosary at O'Brien-Rogers & Crosby Funeral Home, 600 W. 2nd Street, Reno, NV 89503. A Latin Requiem Mass will be held 9:30 AM January 18th at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral. He will be interred at Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Fernley, NV with full General Officer honors rendered by the United States Marine Corps.
In lieu of flowers it is requested that Catholic Masses be said on his behalf.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Martin Brandtner
Sponsored by Walton's Funerals & Cremations - O’Brien-Rogers & Crosby.
A. Bogan
July 8, 2025
I'm late, but saddened to find. I had the honor to serve with GEN Brandtner on the Joint Staff. He presided at my retirement ceremony in 1991.
Thomas V. DRAUDE
January 5, 2024
Great man, great Marine in every respect. He was Semper Fidelis!
Anne McClure Shale
January 5, 2021
Dear Sandra and Cynthia: It has been four years since you lost your Husband and Father.............hope that your memories of great times with him and the love of family members and friends have sustained you during this time of mourning. I know your love for him shall continue for the rest of your lives. My thoughts and prayers remain with you and your families. Love...........Anne
Scott Nelson
January 5, 2021
Marty was a great leader, a great friend, and I miss his humor, intellect and guidance. What a guy! Thanks Marty.
Don Milsop
May 28, 2018
What an incredible Marine. Two Navy Crosses in 8 days, the second one right after he got out of the hospital for the action from his first Navy Cross. Right up there with Butler, Ripley, and Lucas.
Ervin Martin
December 25, 2017
Delayed post Christmas 2017. I was one of his platoon commanders 1968 Arizona Territory Vietnam. A courageous man. A regular John Wayne. I will miss him. He was my friend. Lieutenant Rock.
June 23, 2017
I was his G-2 at 2nd FSSG in the late 80's. At one Friday Staff Meeting, his I.G. reminded him that he would inspect 8th Motor Transport Bn. first thing Monday morning. His usually kind eyes took on the color of ice and he said in so many words. You are telling me that I will inspect their equipment on Monday; the Colonel said yes sir. He said so that means that those young Marines will spend the whole weekend cleaning things up for me to see them on Monday morning; no response from the Colonel. The General said, I don't want to tell you how to run your business, but you may want to rethink this schedule. I decided right then that whatever he might ever ask of me would be done. Period. I just learned of his passing. I will continue to tell people the aforementioned story as I have for the past 30 years. Never forgotten sir.
Major Charles LeGeyt,(LDO), USMC Ret.
Dave Kirkwood
May 4, 2017
General Brandtner was the finest General officer I had the honor and pleasure to serve under. We served together at MCRD San Diego, Ca., and years later at Camp LeJeune, N.C. He was a warrior, leader, and gentleman of the highest order. A true American hero! Our country is a little worse off without him. Rest in peace, General.
Dave Kirkwood, Col. USMC (Ret.)
January 27, 2017
Joe Wallace
January 26, 2017
RIP Hero.
Joe Wallace
Sergeant, USMC
David Winnett
January 25, 2017
Rest In Peace General. It was an honor to meet you in person at the Marine Corps Ball at the Camp Pendleton Officers Club a number of years ago. The first thing that caught my eyes was the Navy Cross on your chest, with the device attached indicating yet a Second Award of that same heroic Medal. I knew at that moment I was in the presence of a Marine Corps legend. Your service and sacrifice on behalf of your country will live on in history so long as our beloved Marine Corps exists. Fair Winds and Following Seas, Sir. Semper Fidelis, David K Winnett, Jr., Captain, USMC (Ret.)
GySgt Larry Stafford USMC (RET)
January 24, 2017
Dear Brandtner Family,
I am sorry for your loss. The General
was a Marines Marine! I still have a letter of commendation that he awarded me for an IG inspection. The General was my Bn. Cmdr. when I was a DI at 1st Recruit Training Bn. San Diego
RIP Sir, and God watch over him now.
Charles and Joyce Chouinard
January 21, 2017
We are sincerely sorry for your loss. Didn't know Martin well but know he was important to your family and expecially to Marty.
Peter Taussig
January 20, 2017
. . . and, in addition to what I have stated previously:
A rare natural gentleman, genuine but totally unpretentious intellectual and scholar, and formidable warrior.
Peter Taussig
January 20, 2017
First met Marty and forged a friendship with him in the course of a handgun training class at Camp Pendleton in which we both participated some years ago. It was startling to see this eminent and heroic retired general officer join the young active duty grunts in picking up the empty shell cases and policing the area after every exercise. Time spent with him subsequently in the course of whenever possible but too infrequent get-togethers in Reno always was educational, inspiring, and great fun . . . though always too short.
He was a truly great and good man who will be remembered for having improved the lives of everyone who had the good fortune to get to know him.
Godspeed Marty -- you will be greatly missed.
scott nelson
January 18, 2017
Dear Sandra and Family -
Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
I served with Marty in Vietnam as his Operations Assistant - S3A - then substituted for him as the acting S3 for 1/5 during his emergency leave of absence. I also served under him as the CO of C 1/5 and A 1/5.
What a guy! When I substituted for him as the acting S3, I was but a lowly 1st Lt and was unsure if I could do the job. Marty assured me, supported me and gave me this simple advice: Take your rank off your collar and you will be just fine. I did and was. And as a young FBI Agent in Washington, D.C., Marty invited me and some associated to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for an informal briefing. Well, the Colonels were buzzing around him serving coffee and being courteous. Marty asked for a cup of coffee so I started to pour one and the top of the coffee decanter popped off and hot, hot coffee spilled all over the General's leg. The Colonels were mortified, but without missing a beat, Marty calmly said, "Nelson, you are better at pouring Martini's than coffee for sure." And so it was.
Thanks Marty for your service to our country, your mentorship, and your friendship. You will always be in our hearts and in our minds. Go in peace Warrior!
Scott Nelson
Captain USMC 1968 - 1970
FBI 1970- 1995
WB/TW 1995 - 2002
SRMG/Webster/UCLA 2002 - Current
Frank Reagan
January 17, 2017
LtCol Brandtner was my battalion commander at the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD San Diego. I remember him openly crying during administration of NJP to one of my DI's. He loved his subordinates unconditionally. After losing a stripe from the NJP, I walked with the DI back to the series Quonset hut. The young corporal was at the end of his first enlistment and had already voiced his decision not to reenlist well before the NJP. But, on the long walk back to the hut, he said he changed his mind and wanted to re-up. When I asked the newly demoted Marine why, he said that seeing LtCol Brandtner shed tears when announcing sentence was a game changer. He didn't want to leave a family that cared so much for him. He wanted to "make it up to Marty".
Thank you, Marty, for teaching me so very many lessons. You are deeply missed.
Semper fi,
Frank Reagan, LtCol USMC, ret.
January 16, 2017
Thank you for your service to our country. Rest in peace.
Larry Carmon
January 14, 2017
He was one of my Battalion Commanders, when I was a Drill Instructor in 1stBn, MCRD San Diego, late 70s early 80s. One of finest Marines I've had the privilege to serve with and in his command. Fair winds and following seas "Marty!" God Bless you sir.
Larry G. Carmon
Major, U. S. Marine Corps (Ret.)
Frank Satterfield
January 14, 2017
General Brandtner was Major Brandtner and the Operations officer for 1/5 in 68-69, and a legend for his heroics as Delta 6. He took an interest in me, as a 2nd Lt. platoon Cmdr and was a mentor and an inspiration as I later became a Company Cmdr with Bravo 1/5, and later with Charlie 1/5. He re-assured me I was ready, when I was not at all convinced that I was--I have never forgotten the impression that he made upon me all those many years ago--We have lost a great American and an outstanding Marine--S/F---Frank Satterfield
Skip Polak
January 14, 2017
A Marine's Marine, and my role model for all my years. Many were blessed with his ability to make everyone feel welcome, and his unique ability to guide younger officers were legendary. God bless. Skip Polak, Marine, retired
January 13, 2017
Dear Mrs. Brandtner and Family,
Please accept my sympathy and condolences.
William J. Smith
Colonel USMC Retired
AWC Class of 1981
Chad and Jamie Kirkley
January 13, 2017
Our sincere condolences to the Brandtner family. I was fortunate to have joined the 5th Regiment of Marines during his tenure as the Commanding Officer. What an example and inspiration! The impact he had on his Marines was simply awesome. It was an honor and privilege to have served with him.
James Whittington
January 12, 2017
Semper Fi Brother, Goo with God.
Lela Shultz
January 12, 2017
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Cheryl Stanek
January 12, 2017
Dear Sandra and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Marty was quite a distinguished man. My wish is that your memories of all the joyous moments you shared sustain you during this difficult time and in the future.
Love,
Cheryl Statler Hopman Stanek
Susan Nunes
January 12, 2017
I am so sorry to hear the news. He was a fine person. I worked under him when he worked at Baker & Taylor in Reno following his retirement from the military. Just as good a person as one would ever meet. My condolences to his family and friends.
Anne Shale
January 12, 2017
Sandra and Cynthia: My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. May the memories that you have of your Husband and your Father bring comfort to each of you.
My Love...........Anne McClure Shale
Rick Lewis
January 12, 2017
The Psalmist writes in Psalm 116: 15, "Precious in the sight of the Lord are the death of His godly ones." SEMPER FIDELIS Marine...............
Sgt. Rick Lewis,
Golf 2/7, Vietnam,
Class of 1968-70.
PG Looney
January 12, 2017
RIP General, thank you for your service and your example.
Semper Fidelis
Col PG Looney, USMC (Ret)
January 12, 2017
Serving under LtGen Brandtner at 2D FSSG was one of the highlights of my career. I learned more from you about being a leader, husband and father than words can express.
Ritch Rodebaugh
Colonel, USMC (Ret)
KELLEY
January 12, 2017
MAY THE THOUGHT OF KNOWING THAT FRIENDS AND FAMILY SHARE IN YOUR GRIEF BE OF COMFORT TO YOUR FAMILY.PLEASE READ PROV 17:17
Thomas Draude
January 11, 2017
Great Marine, husband, and father. RIP, Marty--you are truly Semper Fidelis.
Tom Draude
BGen USMC, Ret.
GP Mandis
January 11, 2017
RIP fellow Brother-in-Arms and Leader of Marines. Per the Marine Corps Hymn, the streets of Heaven are much safer now, since you have assumed the watch.
My deepest condolences to the family of an American Patriot. May the Almighty keep you in the palm of his hands, providing strength and comfort during this difficult time, and may OUTSTANDING memories offer solace. God Bless.
Semper Fidelis,
GP Mandis
US Marine, '74-'98
Dick Bowen LtCol USMC (RET)
January 11, 2017
The most humble hero I have ever met. RIP General.
Charles Skipper
January 11, 2017
Dear Sandra and family,
Like he did for so many thousands of Marines, LtGen Brandtner had a lasting and personal impact on my Marine Corps career. He epitomized the finest as a Marine and a Catholic Christian role model. My words are inadequate to thank him, or to express my condolences for your loss. He lives on in the history of our Corps, and in the lives of those fortunate enough to have served with him. He had a massive impact as a warrior/scholar/leader and will be missed.
Semper Fidelis,
Charles O. Skipper
Colonel, USMC (Ret.), PhD
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