Martin Higgins

HIGGINS, Martin J., 91, of Anna Maria Island, Fla., died peacefully February 26, 2007, at his home on Anna Maria Island, Fla. Marty was born in Jersey City, N.J. January 29, 1916. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Marjorie. He is survived by his daughter, Missy, and her husband, Dr. Thomas Abrunzo; and his son, Michael, and his wife, Cynthia. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Hunter Higgins, Dr. Nicole Abrunzo and her husband, Dr. Chris Merritt, Chris Abrunzo and his wife, Meredith; and three great-grandchildren, Mariebelle Abrunzo, Rory Merritt, and Benjamin Merritt. After graduating from St. Peter' s College in 1939, he joined the 101st (horse) Cavalry in Brooklyn, N.Y. He earned a commission in November 1942 and was assigned to the 10th (horse) Cavalry in California. He married Marjorie Jewkes in October 1943. The 10th was sent to Africa in March of 1944 and became support troops. He volunteered to be an Infantry replacement officer and was assigned to the 36th division as a platoon leader. They invaded Southern France at San Raphael/Frejus August 15, 1944. He assumed command of A Company Sept. 22nd. When his Battalion was cutoff in the Vosges Mountains, from October 24 to October 30, his peers elected him to take command of the unit. He organized a perimeter defense and directed combat operations against superior numbers until relieved by elements of the Nisei, Japanese-American, 100/442RCT. 1st Lt. Higgins was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry during this action. This began a lifelong association with the Nisei. During December 1944, his unit was cutoff and surrounded by a superior force of SS Infantry directed by Reichsfurher SS, Heinrich Himmler, who later interrogated Lt. Higgins. Lt. Higgins was awarded a battlefield promotion to captain the week after his capture. He was sent to OFLAG 64 and survived the 375-mile Winter Death March to STALAG 3A between Jan 21, 1945 through March 14, 1945. When the war ended, he began a career in sales with the United States Playing Card Company in New York City, N.Y. He raised his family in Demarest, N.J. Marty successfully lobbied for the Immigration & Naturalization Act of 1952, which gave citizenship to the Nisei parents. After a 33-year career in sales, he retired as an executive in 1979. He and Marjorie moved to Lake Murray, S.C., in 1980 for sailing and golfing. At the age of 66, he obtained a master' s degree in education from the University of South Carolina. He was involved in teaching literacy to adults, then tutoring children in the Deptartment of Youth Services. Marjorie passed away October 1, 1997. Marty moved to Anna Maria Island, Fla. in October 1999. He joined the Widowed Person Service, the American Legion Post 24 and the YMCA. In combat, he earned the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, POW medal, Presidential Unit Ribbon, plus five campaign medals and the Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star, France' s medal for heroism awarded to foreigners. He was an invited speaker at the 2004 dedication ceremony for the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C. The family expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Scott Kosfeld and staff, Becky Brunner, Evelyn Shields, and Hospice. Memorial services are planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, 2007, at Roser Memorial Community Church, Anna Maria Island. Martin J. Higgins will be interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2007. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238. Online condolences may be made at www.shannon funeralhomes.com.