Lt. Col. Frank Martin III

2020 Hall of Fame Inductee

Cumberland College (1980)

Lt. Col. Frank Martin III began his career with the Army when he signed a four-year ROTC scholarship from Cumberland College in 1976. He remained a Citizen-Soldier from that day in 1976 until the day he passed away after leading his Lady Gator’s High School Basketball team to the New York State Final Four Tournament for the first time in school history in 2018.

Martin commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1980 and began his Army career as 2LT Transportation Officer in Fort Riley, Kansas. During his 21-year career leading Soldiers, he served as the assistant professor of military science at the University of Tennessee and completed his service as the professor of military science at Saint Bonaventure University.

Not only was Martin an outstanding Soldier, serving our Nation for 21 years, but he lived his life in service to others. Following his retirement, he brought that sense of service to his community and the students in Cattaraugus County, New York.

His career in education impacted young adults, both as a history teacher and athletic coach and principal at Archbishop Walsh Academy in Olean, New York and at Allegany-Limestone Central School District, where he coached three varsity sports: volleyball, basketball and tennis.

In 2018 he was named Teacher of the Year.

“Frank Martin was far more than a coach to me, to all of us,” remarked Christa Wentworth, former ALCS women’s basketball player and 2004 graduate in an interview with WESB News. “He was passionate about everything, and he let you know it. And more than anything he was passionate about us, and we knew that.

“Coach Martin taught us basketball. We were students of the game, but more than anything he made each and every one of us a better person. And most importantly he made us stronger women.”

Lt. Col. Martin’s years of service hearkens back to how our Nation originally established the American concept of the Citizen-Soldier:

“The fundamental problem of society is to maintain a free government wherein liberty may be secured through obedience to law, and that a Citizen-Soldiery is the cornerstone upon which such government must rest.”

About the Army ROTC Hall of Fame

The ROTC Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as part of the ROTC Centennial celebration. The first class (2016) inducted 326 former ROTC Cadets who had distinguished themselves in their military or civilian career.

The Hall of Fame honors graduates of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits. It provides a prestigious and tangible means of recognizing and honoring Army ROTC Alumni who have made lasting, significant contributions to the Nation, the Army and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC Program.

Read more about all 16 of the 2020 Hall of Fame Inductees.