Jim “Pee Wee” Martin, Private First Class
506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne DivisioN 3rd Battalion/G Company
Jim “Pee Wee” Martin, Private First Class
506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
3rd Battalion/G Company
Under the leadership of Colonel Robert Sink, commander of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Jim Martin joined the most elite unit in the United States Airborne in 1942 during World War II. Being the most lightweight member of the now famous 506th PIR not only dubbed him the nickname “Pee Wee,” he is also prestigiously known as one of Colonel Sink’s original Toccoa men.
Over 76 years since the end of WWII, Jim Martin is one of, if not the last, remaining “Toccoa Originals” (the designation made popular by the HBO mini-series, Band of Brothers). Until his death at 101 years old, Jim would still meet with the public and carries forward an eyewitness account of his and his unit’s experiences.
Viral sensation and country singer Karen Waldrup, an outspoken supporter of the military, performed at WWII veteran Jim “Pee Wee” Martin’s 100th birthday JumpFest back in 2021 and it sparked the idea for “Normandy,” available now. Waldrup connected with Martin on a personal level at his celebration and was blown away by his stories and bravery. The story song penned by Waldrup, Hunter Jergens and one of the last living “Toccoa Originals” of 1942 (made famous by the HBO mini-series “Band Of Brothers) Jim “Pee Wee” Martin, is an ode of respect to some of our country’s bravest men and women. It’s being released today in honor of the 78th Anniversary of D-Day (June 6).
Listen here.
“My four hours writing a song with Jim Martin was one of the best days of my life. Sitting outside his house listening to the birds and hearing his war stories was an experience I will cherish forever,” explains an emotional Waldrup. “It was such an honor to be able to put his story to song so that generations to come can relate to what he endured. He changed my view of life and helped me look at life from a wider lens. Since he and his comrades fought in WW2, I could sit outside his home with him in peace.”
Waldrup will join Fox News’ One Nation With Brian Kilmeade on Saturday evening June 4 at 8:00 pm eastern to discuss this once in a lifetime opportunity and share a special performance on the song.
Donations are being accepted for a statue that will be erected in honor of Jim “Pee Wee” Martin in Sugarcreek Township, OH. More details
pee wee donation
“Normandy” will be featured on Waldrup’s new album slated for release late summer. The album was produced by multi-award winning producer Paul Worley and co-produced by Biff Watson. Pre-order available at Waldrup’s website powered by Rhythmic Rebellion.
www.karenwaldrup.com
About Karen Waldrup:
Country singer/songwriter and innovative entrepreneur Karen Waldrup has captivated audiences all over the world through her authenticity, charismatic live performances and her Country Soul music. Her Waldrup Worldwide fan base is 1,000,000 people strong and growing daily. Her online videos have been viewed over 400 million times.
Karen has been featured in Rolling Stone Magazine, People Magazine, Netflix, The Hallmark Channel, Bravo TV, Facebook Artist of the Day, NASCAR ESPN Live, the NFL Experience Superbowl XLVII, CMT and hundreds of other outlets world-wide. She has scored 12 Nashville Industry Music Awards and won the 2019 Torch Award from the Keith Whitley Fingerprint on Country Music Awards.
Waldrup's debut album JUSTIFIED, produced by multi-award winner Garth Fundis (known for his work with Trisha Yearwood and Alabama, among others) and funded solely through fan participation via an Indiegogo campaign, debuted on four of Billboard's Album Charts (Country Album Sales, Heatseekers, Heatseekers South Central and Independent Albums). "Sometimes He Does", one of the songs featured on JUSTIFIED, was included in Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the Top 10 Country and Americana songs of the week immediately following its release. Music Row icon and historian Robert Oermann deemed the track a "Disc of The Day", adding that Waldrup is a "real deal country singer."
Throughout her career, Waldrup has played sold-out shows in such cities as London, Atlanta, Knoxville, Dallas and beyond. Waldrup currently hosts a weekly online series on Facebook page entitled "Waldrup Wednesday". The videos air every Wednesday at 5PM CT and can be accessed on-demand anytime via Facebook and YouTube.
In July 2021, Waldrup released "Over the Ocean" worldwide in dedication to the lives lost during the global COVID-19 pandemic.Waldrup is a BMI songwriter, a member of NARAS/The Recording Academy (the "Grammy" organization), the CMA and has partnered with Mission of Hope: Haiti.
Waldrup will join Brian Kilmeade on One Nation With Brian Kilmeade on Saturday, June 4th to discuss her new single "Normandy."
Karen’s new album produced by award-winning producer Paul Worley and Biff Watson is available for pre-orders on her website at www.karenwaldrup.com