William Martin dies in 1987 from cancer in Tijuana. Apparently he was never allowed back in the country after his defection. However the State Dept. did send a condolence letter to his sister.
R 2021502 FEB 87
FM AMCONSUL TIJUANA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1397
~Ml3ASSY:M EXICO
UNCLAS TIJUANA 0238
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: CASC: (MARTIN, WILLIAM H.)
SUBJ: DEATH OF AMCIT WILLIAM H. MARTIN
1. WILLIAM H. MARTIN DIED OF CANCER AT HOSPITAL DEL MAR
IN TIJUANA ON JANUARY 17 , 1987.
I
THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO NOTIFY ANY NOK. THE
CONDOLENCES OF THE USG WERE EXPRESSED IN A LETTER SENT TO
SUBJECT’S SISTER BY POST ON FEBRUARY 20, 1987.
3. BURIAL TOOK PLACE IN THE UNITED STATES.
EMMONS
Hope Mike will contact me about this. Thanks, RA
Comment by Rick — July 2, 2007 @ 4:27 am
Mike: I have just learned of your blog today from an article in The Seattle Weekly by Rick Anderson, “The Lavender Lie.” (see: http://www.seattleweekly.com/2007-07-18/news/the-worst-internal-scandal-in-nsa-history-was-blamed-on-cold-war-defectors-homosexuality.php
I grew up in Ellensburg, WA, about a block from the Martin family home. I was a sophomore in high school when Martin “defected.” I do not recall that Martin had a sister, which makes me suspect the telegram. He did have two younger brothers. The middle brother, John, had numerous run ins with the law, including at least one rape charge. I recall that he was sentenced to a long term in the state prison in the early 1960’s. His younger brother, Butch, was born after Ham graduated from high school. He was my younger brother’s age. In fact, Nell Martin, the mother, was the Cub Scout den mother for her son Butch and his den (which included my younger brother)at the time of the “defection.” I recall references to Nell Martin as being the “smothering” type and controlling. Mr. Martin was the accountant or controller for the big meat packing company in town, Schaake Packing.
Public records could determine the ultimate whereabouts of the two brothers. If Ham Martin is buried in the United States, it may well be in Ellensburg.
Comment by Ron Erickson — July 19, 2007 @ 3:16 am