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  Martin J. Mockler
Martin J. Mockler was born in Port Chester, NY on April 9, 1922, son of Martin J. Mockler Jr., a WWI Veteran and Helen Terrance Mockler. The family moved to Mt Vernon, NY and he attended attended Davis High School.
His mother died in 1936 when he was fourteen years old. His father died in 1941 when Martin was just nineteen. He and his three brothers: Bernard M., John and Robert moved to Rye to live with their grandfather Martin Mockler Sr. In Rye his family lived on Forrest Avenue and were members of the Church of the Resurrection.
Martin enlisted in 1942 and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a decorated Navy veteran of World War II. His service number was 7079420. (See Navy Muster Rolls)
Petty Officer Mockler attended Davis High School and previous to his enlistment in the Navy he was employed at Farrand's Optical Company in the Bronx. He received his boot training at Newport, R. I., and from there was transferred to Noroton Heights, Conn., then to Pier 92 in New York City.
He was stationed at Long Beach, Long Island, just previous to leaving the states in March, 1943. He enlisted in the Navy in October, 1942..
Seaman First Class Martin J. Mockler, U. S. N. R., was inducted in September, 1942. He is stationed in Africa, having been sent overseas in March. 1943. He was in Sicily during the invasion. Seaman Mockler, twenty-two, was 1 born in New York City and attended Davis High School here.
Mount Vernon Argus 1944 Aug 24 Page 7
 He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps medal by the Commander of the Eight Fleet on Sept. 13, 1944. The citation, describing the action, follows: "For distinguishing himself by heroism while serving at the U. S. Naval Station, Arzew, Algeria on May 19, 1944. "While in the performance of his duties as a shore patrolraan, Martin J. Mockler shot an armed, liquorcrazed soldier wounding him in the arm to bring him under effective control. This soldier had previously disarmed a military policeman, shot him, and then had attacked and wounded another man. He had then backed against a wall brandishing his weapon and in a belligerent manner threatened a large group of people present, holding them at bay. With utter disregard for his own safety, Mockler placed himself in great danger he stepped forward, took deliberate aim while facing the man with a drawn weapon, and prevented further possible fatalities at the hands of the crazed soldier. "The exceptional courage, deliberate action, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Martin J. Mockler were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service."
The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combat decoration for heroism awarded by the U.S. Department of the Navy, established in 1942. It recognizes service members who distinguish themselves by heroism not involving conflict with an enemy, typically involving voluntary risk of life.
Martin received his honorable discharge after having served overseas for 27 months in North Africa, Italy and Sicily.
 He married Miss Ruth Mingo June 2, 1945 in a double ring ceremony at Asbury Methodist Church. Rev. Wendall Clark, pastor of the church, solemnized the vows. A reception immediately following the ceremony was held in Hotel Sheraton, New York City. They would have five children during their marriage.
Martin was employed by AT&T Corp. in White Plains for 20 years and also worked for the Walter C. Sykes store as a hardware manager. The family would move to the Berkshires in New York and settle in the town of Stephentown, NY.
Martin founded Martys Modular and Mobile Homes in Stephentown and started a mobile home park, known as Chuckle-berry Park, in North Stephentown. He was a member of the Stephentown Republican Town Committee, the Rensselaer County Republican Committee and the Board of Education for the Berlin Central School District.
Martin was a member and past president of the former Stephentown Kiwanis, served as a Little League manager and a Boy Scout master, and volunteered with the Stephentown Fire Department.
Martin held a captains license and, after his retirement, he and his wife took numerous trips up and down the East Coast in their boat, The Good Life. Their last trip was to Fort Myers in September 2001.
Martin J. Mockler III, 79, of Stephentown NY and Fort Myers, Fla., died Wednesday in Fort Myers after a short illness.
At the time of his death, besides his wife, he left two sons, James Mockler of Clarence and Douglas Mockler of Sand Lake; three daughters, Carol Maxon of Johnsonville, Joan Seakwood of New Lebanon and Claire Miraglia of Williamsburg, Mass.; 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
s2c, EM2 US NAVY WORLD WAR II
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