Congresswoman Kelly Hosts Ceremony Renaming Olympia Fields Post Office in Honor of Tuskegee Airman

Matteson, IL — Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) hosted a ceremony today renaming the Olympia Fields Post Office in honor of Congressional Gold Medal winner and Tuskegee Airman Captain Robert L. Martin, a former resident of Olympia Fields, Illinois.

"This nation and our descendants will always need bedrock monuments and testaments to who we were, and who we are capable of being as Americans," Congresswoman Kelly said. "We will always need reminders of heroes like Robert Martin who walk among us. Men and women who serve without fanfare, who live honorably, who love their families and neighbors dearly, and who enrich our communities and country immeasurably."

Attending the ceremony were Captain Martin's four children, Robert Jr., Gabrielle, Noelle and Dominique. Congresswoman Kelly presented the family with two letters. The first letter, from Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy, acknowledged Captain Martin's service by stating: "The nation will not forget the bravery, courage, and service that he exemplified." The second letter, from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, recognized Captain Martin in writing the following: "May this office stand as a symbol of his steadfast patriotism."

Captain Martin was a member of the famous World War II Tuskegee Airmen. He served as a combat pilot in the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group. On his 64th mission, he was shot down over German-occupied territory. He made his way to a secret Yugoslavian resistance camp, and then back across Allied lines to his base in Italy.

Following the Allied victory, he made his home in Chicago and worked as an electrical engineer. In 2008, he moved to Olympia Fields with his wife Odette Ewell. The couple was married for 68 years and had four children. Captain Martin passed away on July 26, 2018. Captain Martin's bravery was recognized with several war decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart. In 2007, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President George W. Bush at a ceremony honoring the Tuskegee Airmen.

In February of this year, Congresswoman Kelly authored legislation to rename the Olympia Fields Post Office in honor of Captain Robert Martin. The measure was supported by the entire Illinois delegation, both Democrats and Republicans, the Congressional Black Caucus, the U.S. Senate, and signed into law in less than a year.

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