Birth: Sept. 9, 1986 in Durban, South Africa
Death: July 29, 2010 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan

     Lance Corporal Shane Robert Martin was killed during combat operations July 29, 2010 while he was conducting a mounted patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Shane joined the Marine Corps in 2007 and was in the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion based in Camp Pendleton. He had previously deployed to Iraq.

His military awards and decorations include the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

Shane is survived by his Klein Collins High School sweetheart, wife and best friend, Lauren, who was the love of his life and whom he married July 4, 2008, before he deployed to Iraq. He is also survived by his mother and father Debora and Kevin Wallace, his brother Kyle and his beloved little sister Diane, his grandmother Pammy, and a loving extended family of uncles, aunts, cousins he grew up with, in-laws, out-laws and close friends and brother Marines, all of whom he claimed as family, both here and in Africa which he loved so much.

Shane was born in Durban, South Africa Sept. 9, 1986 and lived his early years in Kenya and South Africa before moving to a ranch in Burton, Texas, with an initial stop in Disney Land, when he was 12.

As the oldest grandson, and especially close to his mentor and beloved grandfather Bobby, who predeceased him, he had a childhood filled with a large loving extended family, sports, outdoors, close to cousins, especially his shadow Steven, many friends, dogs and horses and any strays, both humans and animals, he could find.

When he was 16 Shane moved with his family to Spring, Texas and he graduated from Klein Collins High School where he met his wife Lauren as a junior, and where he was a member of the ROTC. He briefly attended the Houston Art Institute before he answered his true calling and knowing the risks involved, volunteered and joined the Marine Corps.

Shane came from a long line of service and with a fundamental understanding of the value of freedom, he died a proud U.S. citizen. He received his citizenship while he was deployed in Iraq and would have had it no other way.

He will be remembered for his huge smile, his big bear hugs, his loyalty and adamant belief in the good of all people around him. He never met a stranger and was always ready to laugh. He recognized right and wrong and was never critical.

He was tolerant and kind and while physically very strong, had a soft heart and could shed a tear. He loved his extended family unconditionally and embraced all that life offered. His was a life cut short, but he was so proud to be a Marine.

Shane will be missed by all who knew him. We will honor him and his sacrifice and will never forget. We feel his presence now and know that he is watching us all and smiling and still reaching out to his beloved wife Lauren and family.

He will always be remembered as a giving husband, grandson, son, family and best friend and honored by his brothers in arms.

He enriched the life of all of us who were blessed to know him and we are so grateful to have shared his life. Go in peace Shane, you are and will always be our hero.

The Rosary, vigil service and military award ceremony will begin at 5 p.m., followed by visitation with the family from 6-9 p.m., on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010, at Klein Funeral Home, Champions. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 9, 2010, at Prince of Peace Catholic Community, 19222 SH 249, Houston (77070).

Interment with full military honors will follow at Houston National Cemetery.

MARINE CORPS TIMES
LAR Marine killed in Afghanistan

Staff report
Posted : Sunday Aug 1, 2010 11:27:21 EDT

OCEANSIDE, Calif. – Lance Cpl. Shane R. Martin was killed during combat operations Thursday in southern Afghanistan, military officials said Friday.

Martin, 23, of Spring, Texas, died in the blast of an improvised explosive device while he was conducting a mounted patrol in Helmand province, 1st Marine Division officials at Camp Pendleton, Calif., said in a press release.

Martin, who joined the Marine Corps in 2007, was a light armored vehicle crewman assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion at Camp Pendleton, officials said. He had previously deployed to Iraq from September 2008 to April 2009.

His military awards and decorations include the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.