Remembering Benny C Martinez, Member AGIF/TX Lucian Adams Chapter
JANUARY 4, 1934 – DECEMBER 29, 2019
American GI Forum of Texas, Inc. Report: AUSTIN, Texas – Please join the Lucian Adams Chapter in remembering a dear friend and long-time American GI Forum (AGIF) member, Benny C. Martinez who passed away December 29, 2019. Benny was born on January 4, 1934 in Goliad, Texas and was one of eleven children born to Placido Lozano Martinez and Paula Cabrera Cortinas. Benny served in the U.S. Army, in Korea from 1957–1958 and from 1958–1962. He also served in the Reserves as a Medic at Fort Hood, Texas. All seven brothers would serve in the US Army with four brothers serving in WWII. We was an active member of the American GI Forum Lucian Adams Chapter in Houston.
Benny was a descendant of the early Tejano ranching families, the De La Garza, Cabrera and Becerras, who established and settled Refugio and Goliad Counties. His ancestors explored and settled in the Texas wilderness over 300 years ago. Manuel Becerra, his paternal 3rd great grandfather, served as the first Ayuntamiento, (city Secretary) of Goliad in 1820 and held various public offices until 1835. He was also a guide to Stephen F. Austin. An Official Texas State Historical Marker documents his ancestor’s contributions and is located in front of the Presidio La Bahia in Goliad, Texas.
On his maternal line, Benny was a direct descendant of Juan Pedro Cabrera and Maria Rodriguez de Bega, from the Canary Islands, Spain, one of 15 families who helped establish a civil government in San Antonio de Bexar and who arrived, March 9, 1731.
Benny was a member of the Canary Islands Descendants Association in San Antonio, Texas. Benny was also a member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, San Jacinto Chapter and joined under his 2nd maternal great grandfather, Mariano Cabrera, who supplied beeves in 1835, per a Republic of Texas Pay Voucher to Captain Phillip Dimmitt issued to his ancestor on August 31, 1853. Benny was very proud of his Tejano history and was proud to be a 9th generation Texan. Benny was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Post 8930 in Houston, TX. A member of the American GI Forum Lucian Adams Chapter, a member of the American Legion in Goliad, Texas and an honoirary member of the Goliad Rotary Club. The American GI Forum of Texas extends their condolences and prayers to the Martinez Family and the Lucian Adams Chapter. May he rest in Eternal Peace.