ANTHONY A. MARTISAUSKAS DEMOTTE, IN

Anthony “Tony” A. Martisauskas age 74, passed away on Wednesday, January 16, 2024. He is survived by his children, Anthony A. (Laura) Martisauskas, of Crown Point, IN., Joseph J. (Tina) Martisauskas, of Hobart, IN., Nikkole E. Robertson, of Crown Point, IN., and Eric A. (Jill) Martisauskas, of Merrillville, IN; 6 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild; three sisters, Donna Hensley (Anthony Alfaro), Aldona (Larry) Parsley, and Regina (Jeff) Novotney; nephews, Brian Hensley Jr., Larry Lee Parsley, and many other dear family and friends. Tony preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Julie; parents Juozas (Joe) and Adele Martisauskas; daughter Sandra. Tony was born in Germany and immigrated to the United States with his parents and oldest sister in 1950. He was raised in East Chicago, IN. (Indiana Harbor) where he attended St. Francis Elementary and Washington High School. Tony loved to dance, play hockey and was also an outstanding basketball player during his school years until he enlisted in the United States Army. He was generous and always willing to lend a hand to anyone. Tony proudly served his country during the Vietnam War from 1967-1968 until his Honorable Discharge due to his injuries he sustained for which he was awarded the Purple Heart. Anthony “Tony” will be deeply missed by family, friends and all who knew him.

“Every man’s life ends the same way. It is only in the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another.”

Interment services will be held at a later date. The final resting place will be Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Tony’s “Alphabet” Vietnam experience in the words of his combat brother and dear friend Jerry Berry.

“When Tony joined the military, he wanted to be a Green Beret (Special Forces) but was too young. The next best thing was to go airborne and become a paratrooper. After his extensive training, Tony was assigned to the now legendary 3-506 Airborne (Currahees) of the 101^st Airborne Division. Tony was among the newly activated 3-506 in 1967. Soon afterward, he volunteered to become a member of the battalion’s exclusive reconnaissance unit, the Currahee Shock Force. Tony and his airborne unit deployed to South Vietnam in late October 1967 and commenced combat operations on November 11^th,1967 (Veterans Day).

On May 2^nd,1968, after 189 days of continuous combat duty in Vietnam, enemy forces launched a ground attach on this unit basecamp at Phan Thiet. Tony and members of his reconnaissance platoon were manning the beach bunkers at the time and were successful at repulsing the enemy attack, but not without loss of life. His team member, Pfc. Richard Ray Landers, was killed during the engagement, and Tony was severely wounded.

After several weeks in country to stabilize his condition, Tony was flown to Camp Drake in Japan, where he stayed for several weeks. From there, he was flown to the US, along with other severely wounded troopers to Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C… Tony spent nine months at Walter Reed in recovery; and while there, President Lyndon B. Johnson visited him and other wounded Vietnam veterans to award Purple Heart Medals and Certificates to the wounded troopers.

Tony spent approximately ten months recuperating from his traumatic head wound. He would eventually be given an honorable discharge from the military due to the injuries during his time of service. He remained close to many of his military teammates until his death.”

He was a loved and respected member of his Currahees band of brothers.