Fulton County Ohio Media

This high school basketball season, before the start of each varsity game, Swanton High School has been honoring local military veterans for their service to our nation. 

This past Thursday evening, prior to the Swanton Bulldogs boys’ game against the Patrick Henry Patriots, Royce Ann and Phillip Martin, a married couple of 49 years, were introduced and recognized for their commitment to America in front of the home crowd.  Below are provided brief biographies of their very impressive accomplishments.

Royce Ann Martin, 1st Lieutenant USAF:  Royce is a 1976 graduate of Indiana University with commission through Air Force ROTC.  She graduated from Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course AMOC, Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois.  She was the first officer to proficiency advance through the 6-month course in a mere three months. Royce’s first assignment was to Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, where she supervised the maintenance of both the Cessna T37B and the Northrop T38A trainer aircraft. Her dedication to her job, her supervision of her airmen, and her overall duty performance, earned her the distinction of Junior Officer of the Year for the base. It is significant to note, that she was the first woman officer to ever win this distinction at the base. Her follow-on assignment was to Robins Air Force Base, Georgia where she supervised the maintenance of the B-52G bomber aircraft. Her time there was also with high praise. 

However, a medical condition gave rise to a short military career. Royce later attended South Georgia Technical College and was the first woman to enroll in and graduate from the aircraft maintenance program.  She received both her airframe and power plant FAA certificates to be a mechanic on FAA registered aircraft. Additionally, she was recognized as the number one vocational student in the state of Georgia, and served on the governor’s personal staff promoting vocational education throughout the state of Georgia. Royce later received her PhD in education from Indiana State University and became an associate professor of aviation at Bowling Green State University from which she is retired.

Phillip Martin, Captain USAF:  Phil and Royce met each other at Indiana University and were married in 1974. They were both commissioned officers by Phil’s father on 27 December 1976. The couple was fortunate in that they were able to have joint spouse assignments.  Phil’s first assignment was to Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas where he gained his wings as a pilot. His first assignment was to fly the B-52G bomber at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. He acquired 1100 hours of B-52 time while at that base.

Phil’s next assignment was to a newly formed unit known as Euro- NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training.  This newly formed unit trained pilots from 14 countries.  In that capacity, he served as a T37 instructor pilot, life support branch chief, and aircraft accident investigator.  He acquired 1100 flight hours in the T37.  After serving nine years in the Air Force, Phil went into civilian life where he taught aviation at Indiana State University, the Institute of Aviation at the University of Illinois, and later he served as the director of Flight Education for The Ohio State University.  

Advancing his career, he moved into the business world of flight education, with Flight Safety international, Swanton, Ohio. He was a simulator instructor in Citation business jet aircraft and was later a flight examiner in the Citation issuing Airline Transport Pilot certificates.  In 2006 he was recognized by his company as Best of the Best flight instructors, being in the top 1% of the instructor cadre. 

Photo: Phillip and Royce Ann Martin