Vermont State Legislature and Norwich Students Partner to Honor Doc Martin '20

The Vermont State Legislature recently passed a House Concurrent Resolution honoring the late Doc Martin ’20. 

Coinciding with the anniversary of his passing, the resolution was read aloud from the State House chamber and then delivered to Norwich University by Representative Anne Donahue (Northfield). 

“I’m so thrilled that we are able to honor Doc in this way,” said Donahue. “He exemplifies many of the reasons we are so proud to have Norwich in our community and in our state.” 

Representative Ken Goslant (Northfield) added, “I have been excited to see our members of the State House and Senate unite in an across-the-aisle tribute to Doc Martin. He has set a benchmark with his achievements, inspires us continually with his significant contributions, and is a wonderful example of the influence Norwich graduates have had on our country.”

“Doc Martin is one of the true greats in Norwich history,” stated Provost & Dean of the Faculty, and Acting President Dr. Karen Gaines.

“To see him continue to be honored 79 years after his untimely passing is a testament to the impact he had while a student, in his career, and of course as a member of the Tuskegee Airmen. As a university, we are honored to accept a copy of this resolution from the Vermont State Legislature.”

Norwich University junior William Kolb took the initiative to begin the process of the resolution by reaching out to Donahue and Goslant, who both represent Northfield in the Vermont State House, in addition to Anne Watson, Ann Cummings, and Andrew Perchlik; the Vermont State Senators for the Washington district which encompasses Northfield. When Kolb was asked why he thought this was important, he stated that “In its simplest terms, I did it because Doc Martin deserved it. Doc Martin is a man who was willing to sacrifice himself in service to our great country, even though the country would not give the same honor and respect back to him. Doc Martin is a man who put others first, whether as a player, a coach, a teacher, or in the Army; he knew that he served a purpose greater than himself. The understanding of that is something Norwich teaches, and Martin exemplified. My sole motivator was that I believed it was well deserved for Doc Martin, and that his story deserved to be told, honored, and remembered in every way possible. Thanks to the work of Norwich University in publishing their series on him, I was able to learn more about this great man and pass that along to those in the State Legislature.”

Kolb also reached out to Michael Morgan, representative from Milton, who currently serves on the House committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs. Morgan, a United States Air Force Academy graduate who proudly served a combined 38 years in the U.S. Air Force and Vermont Air National Guard, said “Harold ‘Doc’ Martin lived and achieved more in his short 45 years on this earth than two men do in a lifetime! His legacy with Norwich University and his contributions to the country in a time of war, with a group of groundbreaking heroes, the Tuskegee Airmen, is beyond noteworthy and worthy of serious recognition.”

In addition to Kolb, several other students were in attendance. Imari Milton, Cadet Kimeisha Moyston, and Cadet Leslie Malin each have had the opportunity to attend the annual Doc Martin Memorial Scholarship dinner. Established in 2021 and named in honor of Norwich University’s first Black graduate and Tuskegee Airman, Harold ‘Doc’ Martin ’20, the scholarship is awarded to talented minority students with financial need. Each of these students have personally witnessed the ongoing impact of Doc Martin’s life. 

A fellow Norwich graduate, Cadet athlete, and military officer offered a poignant summation.

“Doc Martin was the embodiment of both the “I Will Try” motto and Capt. Partridge’s vision of a true Citizen – Soldier,” explained 56th Commandant of Cadets and Vice President of Student Affairs Bill McCollough ’91. “His legacy continues to be an example for the entire Norwich University community.”