Martin Cornelis Moen

1924 - 2017

Martin Cornelis Moen

AGE: 92 • Martic Township, PA

Martin Cornelis Moen, departed his earthly life on Sunday, February 12, 2017 at home in Martic Township, PA, with his loving family around him. He was born on October 17, 1924 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands to Martin Moen and Cornelia Vermey Moen. The Moen family immigrated to the United States in the late 1920's. Martin graduated from Union High School in 1943 and enlisted in the U.S Army.

Martin's service to our nation as an airborne infantry soldier was a defining experience in his life. He made two combat jumps with the 11th Airborne Division in the Pacific Theater during World War II. As a non-commissioned officer, he was a proud participant in the raid on the Los Banos Prison Camp, located 20 miles behind enemy lines in the Philippines. This daring and complex raid, comprised of an amphibious landing, an airborne drop, and an overland march, achieved complete tactical surprise and liberated 2,147 civilian and military internees of the Japanese with no loss of American troops or civilian prisoners. This raid is still celebrated as one of the most successful rescue operations in modern military history.

Sergeant Moen was seriously injured in a plane crash prior to the war's end. He was honorably discharged from the Army. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon with three Bronze Stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct medal, Expert Infantry Badge, the New Jersey Distinguished Service Award, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star.

Following the war, Martin attended Rutgers University and embarked on an exemplary career in executive and project management, working for Otis Elevator, Lockheed Martin, Remington Rand and Frequency Engineering & Laboratories. He retired from International Signal & Control in 1989.

His parents and siblings Adrienne, Stanley, Dirk and Ruth predeceased Mr. Moen.

Martin's first marriage produced a daughter, Cheryl Moen Vermey. His subsequent and loving 62 year marriage to Janice Pierce Hamilton, produced son Robert E. Moen, husband of Vicki Chan Moen and daughter Ellen Moen Hurston, wife of Edwin Hurston. Other family members who survive Mr. Moen include grandchildren Martin, Olivia and Elizabeth and great grandson Robert, along with nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Mr. Moen, along with his wife Janice, were lifelong members of the United Methodist Church where they sang in the choir and taught religious education. He was a lay speaker and leader.

He was an avid fisherman and loved to teach young people the disciplines of patience and wisdom. A man whose big heart, joy of life and abiding faith endeared him to all those who knew him, Martin inspired others with the words, "Do good things and be nice to people!"

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 17th at Johnson-McGinley Funeral Home on 2652 Highway 138, Wall, NJ from 1030-1130AM, with the Funeral Service to follow at 11:30AM. Immediately following, burial will be at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, PA at 1:30PM with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the West Belmar United Methodist Church, 1000 17th Ave., West Belmar, NJ 07719. Condolences may be posted on the Johnson-McGinley Funeral Home online guestbook at http://www.johnson-mcginleyfuneralhome.com.