Idaho Vietnam Veteran Searching for Orphan He Saved in 1970

Vietnam War veteran searches for orphan he rescued in 1970

ADVANCE FOR USE SATURDAY, JULY 1 - In this June 22, 2017 photo, Robert Martin holds a picture of himself at his home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, holding 2-month-old Roberta Sunday after finding her in a bunker in Vietnam. 

By BRIAN WALKER - Associated Press - Saturday, July 1, 2017

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho (AP) - Robert Martin’s platoon was sent to check out an enemy bunker complex that had been hit with heavy airstrikes. He heard a coughing sound.

“In this one bunker I found three dead Vietnamese - two men and one woman,” the Coeur d’Alene man said softly. “I turned to go to the next bunker when I heard a cough from under the dead bodies.”

Under the woman’s body was a naked infant girl - perhaps 2 months old - who was shivering and had shrapnel in one of her thighs.

Martin wrapped the girl in an empty sand bag and carried her to the pickup zone.

After Martin informed his commanders via radio of the situation, his chopper was diverted to the Quang Tri Catholic Hospital, where the baby could be treated.

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