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Today's Featured Biography

Erwin Martinez

On April 30, 2009, I will retire after serving thirty-one years with the Federal Government Law Enforcement and seven years in the military. I reside in San Diego, California and married to Francesca Lombarde Martinez. We have a son, Leanno Angello, a daughter, Bianca Andrea and a granddaughter, Gianna Lucianna Ysebella.

I started my career with the Federal Government when I enlisted with the United States Navy right after graduating from High School. I served four years in the Navy. I am a Vietnam Combat Veteran who spent one year in the Republic of South Vietnam. There I was assigned to Marine Helicopter Squadron HMA-369 which was involved in plenty of action. The squadron's mission was to interdict small boats off the North Vietnamese coast that were loaded with supplies from Soviet and Chinese merchant ships in international waters. The mission was later expanded to the destruction of North Vietnamese Army (NVA) Anti Aircraft emplacements, and truck traffic throughout South and North Vietnam. For this operation I received a Meritorious Unit Commendation. Other operations included Search and Rescue, Search and Destroy and transportation of military personnel. I was awarded and received the Action Combat Ribbon, Republic of South Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Medal and Good Conduct Ribbon. While in Vietnam and during the Christmas Holidays I had the opportunity to see Bob Hope entertain. My father a World War II Combat Disabled Veteran and my two older brothers, Tony (Jr) and Denise Martinez, also Vietnam Combat Veterans never had the opportunity to see Bob Hope.
On my second tour I traveled to Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Australia, Korea, American Samoan Islands, Taiwan and Singapore. In 1975, I separated from the Navy and enlisted for three years with the United States Marine Corps. After completion of Motor Transportation School, I was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California.

In 1978, I enrolled at San Diego State University, graduating in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration.

In 1978 I was hired by the United States Border Patrol. I was assigned to the Chula Vista Border Patrol Station in San Diego, California. My duties included two tours with the Border Crime Prevention Unit (Border Bandit Team), Team Leader for the REACT/Swat Team, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent, Training Officer and Public Information Officer. I was also detailed to work with other Federal Law Enforcement agencies including local Police Departments.
In 1990 I was selected by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Investigations Anti-Smuggling Unit. As a Criminal Investigator I was assigned to work in an undercover capacity in the United States and Mexico. During that period I was detailed to the Organize Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
In 1997, I was promoted to Deputy Assistant Regional Director for Western Region, Investigations. As a Deputy Assistant Regional Director, he was responsible for numerous tasks. I coordinated and monitored undercover operations along the United States and Mexican border. I met with state prison wardens to assure that foreign born inmates close of completing their sentence were released to the custody of the Immigration Service. I advised the Regional Director of Investigations on Headquarters policy, priorities and objectives regarding the Investigations program. I assisted the Regional Director of Investigations in the identification and establishment of Regional Program priorities and objectives. I planned, organized and completed assigned projects and recommended tactical concepts and tasks to achieve program objectives.
In 2003, the Federal Government abolished the Immigration and Naturalization Service and
established the Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). I became a Senior Special Agent with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement. One of his biggest challenges as a Senior Special Agent was rescuing a seventeen year old female being held hostage in Tijuana, Mexico. I never received any training pertaining to Hostage Rescues, but managed with the assistance of other Special Agents to rescue this minor without incident.

During my career with the Federal Government, I received numerous awards for my work and accomplishments.

I enjoyed sky-diving, but stopped after 167 jumps, because my wife bought an insurance policy that will not pay if anything happens to me while sky-diving. I also am an advanced scuba diver and thought my son how to scuba dive. I enjoy deep sea fishing and planning on buying a boat.

I have had a very adventurous and exciding life and planning on writing a book. I plan on going back to work after I take about six months off. I plan on taking my wife to Hong Kong, Tahiti, Italy, Greece and Brazil. My wife and I will stay in San Diego to be with our son and daughter and watch their granddaughter grow.

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